Yeah, yeah, I know....I lagged and it's almost a month into 2011...well too bad, that's the price you pay for greatness. Wel, mine anyway.
Without further ado...here are my favorite albums from 2010. Like the singles list, this was a difficult process this year what with so much great music. For many of these albums their excellence was defined as a whole, rather than by a few outstanding tracks and some other ok ones. More so than in a long time, these choices are top to bottom excellent albums and keep getting better and better with repeated listening. It is this type of excellence through and through which really stood out to me most in picking my favorite albums this year.
Each link takes you to a particularly delightful selection from the album for your listening pleasure. In the case that there is a band that appeared on a previous list, I chose a different selection.
1. LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening – James Murphy and bandmates clearly have created something special and this albums diversity, funky beats, and lyricism made for and eminently fun and interesting experience.
2. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast – A wonderful debut album from this young Florida band. The perfect mix of sunny, surf rock inspired riffs.
3. Girl Talk – All Day – Greg Gilles’ frenetic and fascinating mash up style has to be heard to be believed. With ingenious choices and technically mind blowing mashing and mixing, this album is far and away the most party rockin-est album of the year. I keep going back and hearing something new months into listening.
4. The Black Keys – Brothers – Finally gaining the notoriety they have long deserved, this is far and away the Keys most diverse album sonically. The mixing of styles, sounds, and instruments made it tougher to get into for me initially given my love of their grittier, bluesy-er sound of the past but ultimately this album rewarded with an incredible collection of songs.
5. The Walkmen - Lisbon - A long awaited new album from these indie vets after a protracted labe battle. This album is the perfect mix of surf rock, indie, and some more creative influences. Tough to ceteogorize, I'll just say this is an incredibly enjoyable rock album. Welcome back.
6. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark, Twisted, Fantasy – As grand a hip hop album as they come, Kanye backed up his outsized ego and public meltdowns with a stunning album. Packed with hits and a star studded guest roster, this album could have very easily been all fluff and no substance. But it’s lyrical intensity, monster beats, and raw creativity made it something special to behold.
7. Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner – A beautifully intricate and minimal electronic album that came out of nowhere for me. This is another that keeps improving with repeated listens.
8. Vampire Weekend – Contra – Somehow these preppy lads managed to hold onto that unique sound that set them apart on their debut, while also pushing the boundaries of their sound with more complex songs and more exotic musical influences. More than just plain fun and catchy (which it still is) this album is more mature than its predecessor.
9. How To Dress Well – Love Remains – Low fi electronica with some deep soulful grooves. The fuzzy, feedback driven recording style may seem weird at first but ultimately it works in this albums favor. This is baby makin music’. Well for me anyway.
10. Best Coast – Crazy For You – Like a musical version of a love letter to a summer fling, this albums simple lo-fi beach-rock vibe overflows with catchy, honest tunes of teen angst.
11. Toro y Moi -Causers of This– Another unlikely surprise, this album of dreamy and funky electro rock is perfect background music for any number of stylish endeavors. I got an advance copy a few months ago but they are doing a full release in February. I know this toes the line as far as a 2010 release but this album is that good I had to spread the word. Yep, that's a cover of one of my favorite Michael Jackson tunes.
12. No Age-Everythig in Between - A much more accessible and enjoyable release from this lo fi LA punk rock band. It is gritty and catchy at the same time. Look for big things from these guys in the near future.
So there you have it. There are far too many honorable mentions to list but here are a few....Local Natives, Arcade Fire, Wavves, James Blake, Big Boi, Matt and Kim, Radio Department, Kings of Leon, Phanotgrams, Matthew Dear, Daft Punk, Beirut.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
15 Best Songs of 2010!
Boom! It is that time again, can you believe it has been a year already? This post, and the subsequent best albums of 2010 post that will follow, are also important becasue they mark ONE YEAR of my blog. So let's also give it up for me!
Seriously....go ahead, give it up for me.
Hm.
Ok then....on to the music.
On the whole, 2010 was an amazing year for music, there was an embarassment of riches genre-wide including major releases from huge artists like Kanye, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, LCD Soundsystem and more. But also, for me at least, 2010 was about some suprisingly wonderful under the radar releases that impressed equally if not more than their much lauded counterparts. The sound of 2010 was both ambitious and big, but also interesting and varied. As I mentioned, I'll follow up with my favorite albums later, so without further ado....my 15 favorite songs from 2010....
Click the artist/song title to liste to the tune...
1. LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean - James Murphy can do no wrong and this dance rock number kicked off his incredible new record with a funky, dark breakdown.
2. Japandroids - Younger Us - One of my favorite bands from 2009 returned with an amazing new single this year. This tune is everything perfect about their gritty and emotional sound.
3. Katy Perry - Teenage Dream - A perfect pop song, I couldn't get enough of this tune this year. I lip sync this in the mirror using a hairbrush as a microphone. It stirs the 16 year old girl in all of us. Listen to this song and DON'T EVER LOOK BACK, DON"T EVER LOOK BACK!
4. How to Dress Well - Ecstasy With Jojo - A wonderful surprise in 2010, HTDW is a curious mix of distorted, fuzzed out vocals, dreamy beats, and odd samples. This track melds this melange with an irresistable Michael Jackson sample to create something truly special, dreamy and danceable at the same time.
5. Gold Panda - Same Dream China - Gold Panda was another incredible surprise this year. This is beautifully intricate and interesting electronic music.
6. Kanye West - Runaway - For all of his hyping, meltdowns, and preposterous, well...posturing in 2010, it would have been poetic justice if Kanye's new album had been a mediocre flop. Remarkably though, Kanye not only lived up to the impossible hype but also exceeded expectations with his ambitious new album. Runaway is everything that is great about this album, introspective lyrics, gritty samples, guesting from the flawless Pusha T...dramatics at its finest.
6. Cut Copy - Take Me Over - This is the first release off Cut Copy's forthcoming album being released in 2011 and boy is it a gem. Like an electrified Talking Heads, this track promises amazing things to come from the band; it'ss gonna be a long, agonizing wait until the album's release in Febuary.
7. Yeasayer - Ambling Alp - While not as huge in 2010 as in 2009, the experimental "brooklyn sound" continues to be a force in indie music. Yeasayer embraces all the most diverse sounds in this new soundscape and Ambling Alp is both interesting and catchy as hell. Despite a very early in 2010 release, this album and this track in particular really stuck with me through out the year.
8. Mumford and Sons - The Cave - Another spectacular 2010 debut and a massive hit, this track just builds and builds into an incredible climax. I love the almost Gaelic musical influences, strumming acoustic guitars, and banjos. Undeniable brilliance.
10. Daft Punk - Derezzed - Daft. Punk. Is. Back. What sweet, sweet words those are, almost as sweet as, "free beer". While the soundtrack as a whole didn't wow me as much as I had hoped, given the impossible heights I expected, this track is pure Daft electro goodness.
11. The Black Keys - Shes Long Gone - The Black Keys broke in 2010 and broke in a huge way. Their remarkable album "Brothers" had a very diverse collection of sounds but it was this track, most similar to their older, more bluesy sound, that really hit me.
12. The Arcade Fire - Sprawl 2 - Far and away the most critically lauded album of the year, this track was, for me, far and away the standout of a mixed outing.
13. Surfer Blood - Neighbour Riffs - This stunning debut album was top to bottom an amazing effort but the one non-vocal track really stood out with its surf rock vibe and unforgettable bassline.
14. Lcoal Natives - Wild Eyes - The perfect spring/summer track from this wonderful, dreamy pop rock album. Along with a sunset and a cold beverage this is the makings of a perfect warm weather package.
15. Underworld -Scribble - Dance godfathers Underworld returned in 2010 with a miraculous album, easily their best in years, and this stunning, uplifting gem. It is far, far better than "ok".
So there it is....this list easily could have been 20 or even 25 songs without too much trouble given the amount of great music this year. Stay tuned for my albums list.
Seriously....go ahead, give it up for me.
Hm.
Ok then....on to the music.
On the whole, 2010 was an amazing year for music, there was an embarassment of riches genre-wide including major releases from huge artists like Kanye, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, LCD Soundsystem and more. But also, for me at least, 2010 was about some suprisingly wonderful under the radar releases that impressed equally if not more than their much lauded counterparts. The sound of 2010 was both ambitious and big, but also interesting and varied. As I mentioned, I'll follow up with my favorite albums later, so without further ado....my 15 favorite songs from 2010....
Click the artist/song title to liste to the tune...
1. LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean - James Murphy can do no wrong and this dance rock number kicked off his incredible new record with a funky, dark breakdown.
2. Japandroids - Younger Us - One of my favorite bands from 2009 returned with an amazing new single this year. This tune is everything perfect about their gritty and emotional sound.
3. Katy Perry - Teenage Dream - A perfect pop song, I couldn't get enough of this tune this year. I lip sync this in the mirror using a hairbrush as a microphone. It stirs the 16 year old girl in all of us. Listen to this song and DON'T EVER LOOK BACK, DON"T EVER LOOK BACK!
4. How to Dress Well - Ecstasy With Jojo - A wonderful surprise in 2010, HTDW is a curious mix of distorted, fuzzed out vocals, dreamy beats, and odd samples. This track melds this melange with an irresistable Michael Jackson sample to create something truly special, dreamy and danceable at the same time.
5. Gold Panda - Same Dream China - Gold Panda was another incredible surprise this year. This is beautifully intricate and interesting electronic music.
6. Kanye West - Runaway - For all of his hyping, meltdowns, and preposterous, well...posturing in 2010, it would have been poetic justice if Kanye's new album had been a mediocre flop. Remarkably though, Kanye not only lived up to the impossible hype but also exceeded expectations with his ambitious new album. Runaway is everything that is great about this album, introspective lyrics, gritty samples, guesting from the flawless Pusha T...dramatics at its finest.
6. Cut Copy - Take Me Over - This is the first release off Cut Copy's forthcoming album being released in 2011 and boy is it a gem. Like an electrified Talking Heads, this track promises amazing things to come from the band; it'ss gonna be a long, agonizing wait until the album's release in Febuary.
7. Yeasayer - Ambling Alp - While not as huge in 2010 as in 2009, the experimental "brooklyn sound" continues to be a force in indie music. Yeasayer embraces all the most diverse sounds in this new soundscape and Ambling Alp is both interesting and catchy as hell. Despite a very early in 2010 release, this album and this track in particular really stuck with me through out the year.
8. Mumford and Sons - The Cave - Another spectacular 2010 debut and a massive hit, this track just builds and builds into an incredible climax. I love the almost Gaelic musical influences, strumming acoustic guitars, and banjos. Undeniable brilliance.
10. Daft Punk - Derezzed - Daft. Punk. Is. Back. What sweet, sweet words those are, almost as sweet as, "free beer". While the soundtrack as a whole didn't wow me as much as I had hoped, given the impossible heights I expected, this track is pure Daft electro goodness.
11. The Black Keys - Shes Long Gone - The Black Keys broke in 2010 and broke in a huge way. Their remarkable album "Brothers" had a very diverse collection of sounds but it was this track, most similar to their older, more bluesy sound, that really hit me.
12. The Arcade Fire - Sprawl 2 - Far and away the most critically lauded album of the year, this track was, for me, far and away the standout of a mixed outing.
13. Surfer Blood - Neighbour Riffs - This stunning debut album was top to bottom an amazing effort but the one non-vocal track really stood out with its surf rock vibe and unforgettable bassline.
14. Lcoal Natives - Wild Eyes - The perfect spring/summer track from this wonderful, dreamy pop rock album. Along with a sunset and a cold beverage this is the makings of a perfect warm weather package.
15. Underworld -Scribble - Dance godfathers Underworld returned in 2010 with a miraculous album, easily their best in years, and this stunning, uplifting gem. It is far, far better than "ok".
So there it is....this list easily could have been 20 or even 25 songs without too much trouble given the amount of great music this year. Stay tuned for my albums list.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
flawless....
Daft Punk wearing Balenciaga to the Tron Legacy movie premier. Awesome. I'm definitely wearing robot gear to my next black tie event.
Friday, December 10, 2010
pure magic...
As if my love for Zooey Deschanel could get any deeper...
My affection for this adorable hipster is well documented but she took it to another level this week when she performed with her musical partner M. Ward on Conan. For those who don't know Deschanel and Ward perform together as the aptly titled She & Him and just released their second album of beautiful indie rock this year. The duo rolled through an incredible cover of the Screamin' Jay Hawkins classis "I Put a Spell on You" that nearly had me weeping. Deshcanel has always had a great voice, deeper and more resonate than you'd expect coming from a tiny body in an impeccable vintage Chanel but this performance absolutely blew me away. Its like somewhere inside her lives a soulful, heartbroken african american woman in her late 40's. Enjoy...and if you need me I'll be sitting outside Zooey Deschanel's house in a tree with binoculars doing a little semi-harmless stalking.
My affection for this adorable hipster is well documented but she took it to another level this week when she performed with her musical partner M. Ward on Conan. For those who don't know Deschanel and Ward perform together as the aptly titled She & Him and just released their second album of beautiful indie rock this year. The duo rolled through an incredible cover of the Screamin' Jay Hawkins classis "I Put a Spell on You" that nearly had me weeping. Deshcanel has always had a great voice, deeper and more resonate than you'd expect coming from a tiny body in an impeccable vintage Chanel but this performance absolutely blew me away. Its like somewhere inside her lives a soulful, heartbroken african american woman in her late 40's. Enjoy...and if you need me I'll be sitting outside Zooey Deschanel's house in a tree with binoculars doing a little semi-harmless stalking.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Gorgeous....
New track from Cut Copy's forthcoming album Zonoscope. Absolutely delightful. It has kind of a 80's Talking Heads feel to it. Can't wait for this album to come out.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
MADE. OF. WIN!
A new Daft Punk track off their upcoming album, the soundtrack for the insane new Tron movie. Completely awesome.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wierd band name...good tune
Sometimes it just works out...in fact, 2010 was FULL of very odd band names and awesome tunes.
(GRATUITOUS FORSHADOWING FOR MY RUNDOWN OF MY FAVORITE MUSIC OF 2010 THAT WILL NOT ONLY SURPRISE BUT DELIGHT!!!)
Ahem...
(GRATUITOUS FORSHADOWING FOR MY RUNDOWN OF MY FAVORITE MUSIC OF 2010 THAT WILL NOT ONLY SURPRISE BUT DELIGHT!!!)
Ahem...
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Words to live by...
Some great advice from Coach Bobby Finstock from Teen Wolf:
"There are three rules that I live by: never get less than twelve hours sleep; never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city; and never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Now you stick to that, and everything else is cream cheese."
Friday, October 22, 2010
Ftune for Friday...
Yeah, I know it is spelled wrong but ITS MY BLOG AND I'LL DO WHAT I WANT. Alliteration is a fools errand I tell you!
Ahem...
Enjoy some math rock. Yes that is an actual genere, albeit an extremely pretentious, overly descriptive, micro-trend one. Here is the definition from Wikipedia..."Math rock is a rhythmically complex, guitar-based style of experimental rock[1] that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by complex, atypical rhythmic structures (including irregular stopping and starting), angular melodies, and dissonant chords."
Yeah, I agree, whatever. This tune rocks though. The drumming (from genius John Stainer, formerly of Helmet) is superb and unique.
Ahem...
Enjoy some math rock. Yes that is an actual genere, albeit an extremely pretentious, overly descriptive, micro-trend one. Here is the definition from Wikipedia..."Math rock is a rhythmically complex, guitar-based style of experimental rock[1] that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by complex, atypical rhythmic structures (including irregular stopping and starting), angular melodies, and dissonant chords."
Yeah, I agree, whatever. This tune rocks though. The drumming (from genius John Stainer, formerly of Helmet) is superb and unique.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Best lyrics of all time?
It has appeared on this blog before but we'll revisit. I'll make the case for LCD Soundsystem's All My Friends...there is something really poetic about this song and lyrics that captures a time period in life like nothing I have ever heard.
That's how it starts.
We go back to your house.
We check the charts,
And start to figure it out.
And if it's crowded, all the better,
because we know we're gonna be up late.
But if you're worried about the weather
then you picked the wrong place to stay.
That's how it starts.
And so it starts.
You switch the engine on.
We set controls for the heart of the sun,
one of the ways we show our age.
And if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up
and I still don't wanna stagger home.
Then it's the memory of our betters
that are keeping us on our feet.
You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan,
and the next five years trying to be with your friends again.
You're talking 45 turns just as fast as you can,
yeah, I know it gets tired, but it's better when we pretend.
It comes apart,
the way it does in bad films.
Except in parts,
when the moral kicks in.
Though when we're running out of the drugs
and the conversation's winding away.
I wouldn't trade one stupid decision
for another five years of lies.
You drop the first ten years just as fast as you can,
and the next ten people who are trying to be polite.
When you're blowing eighty-five days in the middle of France,
Yeah, I know it gets tired only where are your friends tonight?
And to tell the truth.
Oh, this could be the last time.
So here we go,
like a sail's force into the night
And if I made a fool, if I made a fool, if I made a fool
on the road, there's always this.
And if I'm sewn into submission,
I can still come home to this.
And with a face like a dad and a laughable stand,
you can sleep on the plane or review what you said.
When you're drunk and the kids leave impossible tasks
you think over and over, "hey, I'm finally dead."
Oh, if the trip and the plan come apart in your hand,
you look contorted on yourself your ridiculous prop.
You forgot what you meant when you read what you said,
and you always knew you were tired, but then,
where are your friends tonight?
Where are your friends tonight?
Where are your friends tonight?
If I could see all my friends tonight,
If I could see all my friends tonight,
If I could see all my friends tonight,
If I could see all my friends tonight
That's how it starts.
We go back to your house.
We check the charts,
And start to figure it out.
And if it's crowded, all the better,
because we know we're gonna be up late.
But if you're worried about the weather
then you picked the wrong place to stay.
That's how it starts.
And so it starts.
You switch the engine on.
We set controls for the heart of the sun,
one of the ways we show our age.
And if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up
and I still don't wanna stagger home.
Then it's the memory of our betters
that are keeping us on our feet.
You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan,
and the next five years trying to be with your friends again.
You're talking 45 turns just as fast as you can,
yeah, I know it gets tired, but it's better when we pretend.
It comes apart,
the way it does in bad films.
Except in parts,
when the moral kicks in.
Though when we're running out of the drugs
and the conversation's winding away.
I wouldn't trade one stupid decision
for another five years of lies.
You drop the first ten years just as fast as you can,
and the next ten people who are trying to be polite.
When you're blowing eighty-five days in the middle of France,
Yeah, I know it gets tired only where are your friends tonight?
And to tell the truth.
Oh, this could be the last time.
So here we go,
like a sail's force into the night
And if I made a fool, if I made a fool, if I made a fool
on the road, there's always this.
And if I'm sewn into submission,
I can still come home to this.
And with a face like a dad and a laughable stand,
you can sleep on the plane or review what you said.
When you're drunk and the kids leave impossible tasks
you think over and over, "hey, I'm finally dead."
Oh, if the trip and the plan come apart in your hand,
you look contorted on yourself your ridiculous prop.
You forgot what you meant when you read what you said,
and you always knew you were tired, but then,
where are your friends tonight?
Where are your friends tonight?
Where are your friends tonight?
If I could see all my friends tonight,
If I could see all my friends tonight,
If I could see all my friends tonight,
If I could see all my friends tonight
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Fine...you're right.
I accept it. The hype about Florence and the Machine is correct, she is supremely talented and her album is wonderful and intriguing. It just took me a little while to come around. To be fair, having her wonderful song Dog Days Are Over play in the preview for "Eat, Pray, Love" didn't win her any favors from me.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Its Fall...finally.
I'm kicking off a new series of blogs about some essential items for fall over at my other gig, Menswear Mondays for Apparel Therapy. The Fall Essentials will run for the next 5 weeks. Here is the first post.
Enjoy.
Ready for cool weather! (sorry April)
Enjoy.
Ready for cool weather! (sorry April)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
More to love...
My world domination continues...I scored another new fashion gig and will be interning and writing for a local styling and fashion company called Apparel Therapy. I'll be the featured menswear blogger for the time being and will post a new blog every monday for the awesomely appropriately titled Menswear Mondays. Super excited about this opportunity. My first post is up, here is a link:
Check Me Out!
Enjoy!
Check Me Out!
Enjoy!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Songs I'm digging at the moment...
Bonjour friends, I am here again to enlighten you with a few songs that I have really been digging the last few weeks. Listen and enjoy, don't make me say it twice. I think at this point my reputation for steering you in the right direction with regards to good music speaks for itself.
Japandroids - Younger Us
These guys continue to bring the thunder with excellent garage rock tunes with just a hint of yearning and emotion. NEW ALBUM PLSKTHXBAI!
Local Natives - Wide Eyes
Maybe my favorite song this summer. Smooth and beautiful. This song is best enjoyed with a sunset.
Metaform - Electric Eyes
A criminally overlooked album thus far, Metaform's electro rock is just superb. For fans of M83, Digitalism, and the like.
The Cribs - Mirror Kisses
Primed to be the next big Brit rock phenomena. Catchy, powerful, eveything great about the genre.
La Roux - In For the Kill (Skream remix)
My love for La Roux has already been documented on this blog. British downtempo genius Skream (check out his excellent album Outside the Box) puts a haunting spin on an already nearly flawless track. Let the make out session commence.
HUEY LEWIS AND THE FUCKING NEWS!!!
Japandroids - Younger Us
These guys continue to bring the thunder with excellent garage rock tunes with just a hint of yearning and emotion. NEW ALBUM PLSKTHXBAI!
Local Natives - Wide Eyes
Maybe my favorite song this summer. Smooth and beautiful. This song is best enjoyed with a sunset.
Metaform - Electric Eyes
A criminally overlooked album thus far, Metaform's electro rock is just superb. For fans of M83, Digitalism, and the like.
The Cribs - Mirror Kisses
Primed to be the next big Brit rock phenomena. Catchy, powerful, eveything great about the genre.
La Roux - In For the Kill (Skream remix)
My love for La Roux has already been documented on this blog. British downtempo genius Skream (check out his excellent album Outside the Box) puts a haunting spin on an already nearly flawless track. Let the make out session commence.
HUEY LEWIS AND THE FUCKING NEWS!!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
unbelieveably awesome....
The internetz are a strange and magical place and very often they birth incredibly hilarious things...this happens to be one of them:
If Historical Events had Facebook
And I'm not even on Facebook...
If Historical Events had Facebook
And I'm not even on Facebook...
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Gorgeous....
Underworld. Enough said...
Ok, maybe not, but this is the first single of their new album and IT. IS. GORGEOUS. I can't wait for this album to drop. This song is perfect for the long awaited sunshine that has finally arrived this week. Enjoy.
Ok, maybe not, but this is the first single of their new album and IT. IS. GORGEOUS. I can't wait for this album to drop. This song is perfect for the long awaited sunshine that has finally arrived this week. Enjoy.
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