Last installment here of 2010 review. Just a simple list of bands and songs from 2010 that struck a chord with me. Take a listen and anything you like - download and add to your I-pod.
Foals - Spanish Sahara
Great great song from an album that underwhelmed me.This track has a beautiful sonic build. Loved their first album, but this album didn't go anywhere for me. Still have high hopes for the next one!
Robyn - Dancing On My Own
Not sure why it is OK to like Robyn in the indie world, but not Katie Perry or Pink. I prefer Robyn over those two.
Surfer Blood - Floating Vibes
Turn it up to 11, that Dinosaur Jr sound.
James Blake - Limit To Your Love
Discovered in the final weeks of 2010. Can't wait for the new album.
Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill
The song title is a good description, but should add that it also has a tasty beat.
This year will be remembered as the year my I-pod gave out. I lost over 80GB of music most of it from 2009 and 2010. The better part of it, is that my external hard drive is not functioning correctly either. If I can get that up and going then all will be fine, but I have spent the past 2 months buying, tracking down, and re-downloading as much of my music as I can find. It hasn't been all bad because in the process I have found 2 new music blogs that I really like that put up some great mix tapes (TSURURADIO and ATG). I am sure I will overlook some song or band that I (or you) really dug this year, but here is my attempt to cover the music that rang through my ear buds most often or got turned up to 11 in the swagger wagon. Not sure how many parts this will take; I have tried to include a couple mp3s, official videos, and live footage of each of the bands, but because of the epic nature of the coverage I'll have to break this up into parts. There is probably too much music here to digest in one sitting, but good luck.
Now on to the countdown: 16. Beach Fossils - Beach Fossils
A lot of the music this year had that surfer garage sound and I was glad for that. I'm sure I'll use the terms over and over in these reviews but I loved the garage revival. I'm a fan of the Nuggets box sets, punk rock, Buddy Holly, the Modern Lovers and early Beach Boys.In terms of sound these guys are poppy. Hailing from Brooklyn they were NYC's version of the garage revival. Listened to this all summer long, was a great soundtrack for the beach.
15. Crocodiles - Sleep Forever
The Crocodiles have that retro garage sound and when I hear Sleep Forever I think of Jesus and Mary Chain, and early Stone Roses. Everything sounds muddy and beautiful. I love the echo of the vocals.
14. The Walkmen - Lisbon
Lisbon has the same moody feeling that the Walkmen have had since their first album. There are quiet reflective moments throughout the album and a raucous crowd pleaser in Angela Surf City.
13. The Strange Boys - Be Brave
Lead singer Ryan Sambol sounds drunk and deranged, but it goes perfectly with the loose ramshackle sound of the band. This was a great E-music discovery before E-music went sour. These guys should go on tour with The Crocodiles.
12. Hot Chip - One Life Stand
I have liked everything Hot Chip has done and this album is no exception. One difference I see from past albums is One Life Stand has fewer stand alone dance floor hits, but is a more cohesive album. The band seems to be reflecting on having families and getting older and being content with it. I just enjoy seeing videos with these old guys still kicking. My wife is also a big fan.
One of the best videos of the year. Goes from funny, to weird, to disturbing, and back to funny.
11. The Black Keys - Brothers
These guys have been making that garage blues sound forever. Same gritty blues sound as always, but this is the first Black Keys album I have been repeatedly going back to. Tighten Up and Howlin' For You I play on weekly basis.
Tapes 'n Tapes have a new album "Outside" coming out January 11. I really like the craziness of their 2004 and 2005 album. 2008 album Conquest didn't hit me right at the time, but listening to it again tonight I appreciate the growth of the band. It is mellow and not as in your face with tricks and weirdness. It has aged well.They will be in DC on Feb 7 at the Rock and Roll Hotel and in Charlottesville, VA Feb 8 at the Jefferson Theater.
This track off the new album sounds promising, when it started off I was waiting for a bigger kick in.....it sounds like a subdued Franz Ferdinand.
I have overlooked the band Here We Go Magic for a couple months now.The clip below finally got me to pay attention. Nice dreamy sound with vocals that remind me of Neil Young. I won't be downloading the whole album but I'll pick up a few tracks from the new album Pigeons.
