Albums/Recordings: 2010 (Updated)
Today is the last day of the year 2010 and I could, quite possibly be one of the last to post my 2010 list(s). While the trend seems to be listing top albums for the year, sometimes with a numerical order, granting one lucky winner the spot of Album of The Year, I opt to list the albums that I spent the most time with that were released over the past 12 months. By no means is this my claim that these albums were the best of the crop, as I probably don’t listen to as many recordings as some of my peers. I try to scan recordings from time to time, that seem to be grabbing the popular buzz, but it seems mostly I exist in my own opinionated, personally jaded world when it comes to music. I gravitate towards artists and albums for whatever reason and with my addictive personality cling to them, sometimes over consuming and over analyzing the content. That’s me. That’s what I do. And this is what I listened to the most of 2010 releases….
I had to update, as I left this recording off the list initially. It was in my head, just somehow got left out…
-Spoon Transference
Rarely does Spoon put out an album that I’m not into that much, but the predecessor to the band’s 2010 release, felt void of that raw, edgy sound that made the early records stand out from anything in the popular indie format. Returning to that element that has found this band continually growing into the established creative unit that has outlived many of it’s peers, Britt Daniel incorporated years of recording and production experience with a familiar approach to songwriting and produces one of the band’s best records. At least in my opinion. What’s next for the band? I’m not sure that Daniel has a plan at this point, but there’s a good chance it’ll leave critics and fans alike, satisfied.
-Twin Tigers Gray Waves
My love affair with bands from Athen’s, GA has become quite obviously obsessive, and Twin Tigers fueled that obsession early in 2010 with their debut full-length. It’s a sonic invitation into a world that balances the beauty and reality of personal relationships, musically and lyrically. Matthew Rain’s vocals distant in production, but weighing heavily on the songs.
Lyric: “If I am such a creep, why stay within my reach” -Feathers
-The National High Violet
No surprise that this album has ended up on many year end lists, because it’s so f****** great! I’ve been a fan of these guys for awhile, and while one might think that working within their unique sound might have found a dead end early, they have managed to work and refine their sound to a perfection. Matt Berninger’s lyrical content and delivery define the band as much as the music itself, while you find him at his darkest on this record, you find him at his most brilliant. It would be hard for me to try and find a lyrical moment that shines most for me, as I honestly believe that Berninger is one of the strongest, most talented lyrical writers in today’s music scene. He defines emotions and experiences in a manner that brings life to your own personal realizations.
-Deer Tick Black Dirt Sessions
Break out the whiskey, the sorrow, and embrace the experiences in life that aren’t the most welcomed or pleasant. This latest recording from the band finds founder/frontman John McCauley painting a dark portrait of life lyrically supported by a somewhat stripped down musical foundation. Acoustic guitar holds down the base of most of the album with McCauley’s life strained vocals frame the songs, while occasional songs find an electric pulse. Like many of the blues greats of the past, McCauley makes the down side of life sound so good.
MP3> Deer Tick ‘Piece By Piece, Frame By Frame’
-Retribution Gospel Choir 2
No matter what Alan Sparhawk does within his musical career either with Low or Retribution Gospel Choir, he will never receive the accolades that he deserves, but that just might be a good thing. I’m completely obsessed with the body of work that Sparhawk continues to churn out, and this latest effort being the 2nd release from his newest project finds him at complete odds with his birth child band Low, loud, guitar driven, boisterous, and inspiring. If there is one artist that young artist or aspiring artists should look to for inspiration in regards to work ethic..this guy is the real deal.
-Beach House Teen Dream
What a beautiful dreamy, sexy romp through minimal low-fi music. Minimal by today’s standards, but that standard just changed with this album. What a difference an album makes. Usually I’m driven by lyrics, but this is one of those recordings that established itself musically with the lyrics playing a less influential role in my appreciation.
-Blonde Redhead Penny Sparkle
I am quite surprised that this recording didn’t make more lists..Sure it wasn’t the pace of 23 but it was well orchestrated shift in tempo and mood that delivered quite well. It’s dark, it’s sexy, it invokes wonderful imagery and emotions suited for film noir.
-Land Of Talk Cloak and Cipher
Elizabeth Powell established herself as a young woman in emotional transition, and a youthful axe to grind, with her guitar and lyrics on the band’s debut EP Applause Cheer Boo Hiss. Two full-length recordings later and we find Powell still working the axe, but within a full blown dimension of production and richly constructed songwriting. Production compliments of Jace Lasek (Besnard Lakes, Sunset Rubdown, Wolf Parade) bring a new depth and space to Powell’s songs which have developed as nicely over the years.
Lyric: “How deep is this soul I feel I’m in? Seen a lot of light and done a lot with it. How deep is this hole I feel I’m in?”
-Phosphorescent Here’s To Taking It Easy
I had probably heard two songs from this recording prior to catching the band’s live performance, and my initial reaction was it felt like a modern day version of The Band. The live show was one of the most enjoyable shows of the year for me. The vibe was warm. The energy shared by everyone in attendance. And the band played on for hours, never dulling the experience throughout the entire set. Here’s To Taking It Easy defines the recording well, complimented with tracks like “Mermaid Parade”, “We’ll Be Here Soon”, and “Los Angeles”, the album drifts as softly as the wind shining bright and beautiful like the sun.
-The Black Angels Phosphene Dream
Hometown psych rock heroes put aside their egos and enlist a producer for their third full-length and the end result fines the band honing their drone and roll sound to near perfection. The band’s signature sound still in tact, but the lengthy expansive tracks replaced with tightly wound, pop stuctured songs that draw from psych pioneers from an early day. The band still challenges to shake your dark psyche to the core, but inspires a desire to dance along while doing so.
-Deerhunter Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter have finally captured my full attention with this album, after two albums of tempting me into their camp. Shifting between ghostly minimalist tracks that drift along for minutes and modern day pop rockers, Halycon Digest feels like the beginning of a band quietly and quickly on the rise and refining their talent. The band, in my mind have finally gone from Bradford Cox and company to…Deerhunter.
-Colour Revolt The Cradle
Jesse Coppenbarger defines the history of Colour Revolt right out of the gate with the lead track “8 years”. A band that crumbled to the point of almost non-existence with the departure of 3 out of 5 members, found Coppenbarger and co-founding member Sean Kirkpatrick calling it quits for short period. Just long enough for the two to realize that they still had a desire to make music together, and this album is a culmination of that desire. A different sounding album than previous, slightly more subdued sonically, but as dense and complex lyrically and musically as ever. It’s an album that needs a patient ear to realize it’s full potential, and even after many listens, it continues to reveal itself to you like a slow strip tease.
MP3> Colour Revolt ‘Our Names’
-Dead Confederate Sugar
While Dead Confederate lightened up the mood and at times set aside the epic sonic rides found on the previous album, they produced some of their heaviest work as well. Shifting between the acoustic fronted “Run From The Gun” to the terrifying, gut punch heavy “Quiet Kid”, the band displays their ability to expand the scope of their songwriting, if it only is the beginning of what we might see from the band in the future. An album almost completely developed in the studio, from a skeleton of ideas, one begs to wonder what is capable from this band with more prep work. I for one, can’t wait to hear.
-Futurebirds Hampton’s Lullaby
Athen’s again? Yep. This low-fi, country tinged rock recording, hinting at early My Morning Jacket days with an energy that once witnessed live brings a whole new perspective to these songs. Sipping whiskey, foot stomping, good time.
-The Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night
The title and cover art pretty much say it all. Epic rock songs that conjure up images that would cost millions to produce cinematically, mixed in with more conventional rock pieces that maintain the rich layered sound that this Canadian outfit is quickly becoming recognized for producing.
-Minus The Bear Omni
It’s Minus The Bear. They showed up on the scene with their unique quick tempo guitar noodling prog rock years ago with Menos El Oso and continue their trek of making cool rock records that inspire the air guitar player in myself. The band has rarely produced anything that I can’t get my head into, and Omni finds them at the top of their game.
