Q1 2010
Is it cool to put unreleased music as favorites?
Top 4
Odd Blood - Yeasayer
This one is my clear number 1, even though my review might have you believe other wise, seeing as I gave VW’s “Contra” and slightly higher rating. Since then, I simply find myself listening to these guys more than any other 2010 release to date. I want to dance around every time Rome comes on, I want to “make love to the morning light” when Mondegreen comes on. Yeasayer puts on a edgier sound and yet they can still be epic and elegant with I Remember and O.N.E. just proving how dynamic they have become.
I must also give a shout out to The Ambling Alp Overdub performed by the Afro-funk group, The Very Best, click that link for a listen and free download, courtesy of my favorite music blog Pretty Much Amazing.
A close second would be the years most unique and unexpected album.
Broken Bells - Broken Bells (James Mercer + D.J. Dangermouse)
Damnit, the High Road is such a strong track, that I guarantee you will enjoy. This odd duo may be Brian Burton’s (Dangermouse) best project yet. This album is full of inventive instrumentation, tight production, and that voice you all recognize from the Shins. Other top songs include The Ghost Inside and Float, but you certainly cannot go wrong with this Self Titled Debut.
Also coming in right behind the Brooklyn Boys of Yeasayer is and artist I found about through a Australian girl who I met on Chat Roulette (blush).
Shadow of an Empire - Fionn Regan
Fionn Regan is an Irish, folky Singer/Songwriter whose sophomore album has expanded his view of music quite well, most noticeably in the fact he has gone electric on some of his songs. He supposedly composed the entire album’s lyrics on a typewriter, yeah he’s old-school like that, which he says influenced the phrasing of many of the songs on this new album, because of the “Percussive nature of typing”, as if he was hearing music while typing the lyrics. I’ll tell you what, this album is phenomenal, and worth listening, the title track is a great intro to his music, but also check out the gorgeous Lines Written in the Winter.
With a move to the label “Secretly Canadian” jj removes, ironically, some of their mystique, but none of their swagger and affinity for covering hip-hop:
jj n˚3 - jj Who do they think they are, covering Lil’ Wayne on the first track with an atmospheric, surreal piano accompanied song, and then finish the same song with ATC’s Europop 90’s hit It Goes Around the World. They’re kicking ass as the best Swedish band ever. Mysterious as they may be, and short as the album may be - under a half hour - you cannot argue that it is great music.
Other Good Music to Check Out
Ascending Melody - Dirty Projectors
A two song 7” LP, basically a bonus to 2009’s great “Bitte Orca”
Drunk Girls - LCD Soundsystem
First song off their 2010 Album, “This is Happening” which is due out May 18.
Plastic Beach - The Gorrillaz
When you get Bruce Willis in your music video, you have to get props. Check it.
Congratulations - MGMT
I’ll pretend I haven’t heard the whole album… hea hea
I also really like all of the other music mentioned by other WHCLers, Looking forward to some great new albums coming out in the future months.
-Zack Franciose
