Because I love lists and have meticulously documented my music acquisitions this year, I'd like to share with you the fruits of those labors and encourage you all to share yours or comment otherwise.
I should note that there were several predictably great albums released by artists I already knew (The National, Antibalas) and maybe someday I'll mention them but for now, these are the artists that for me were previously unexplored.
New this year...(or say within the last few years but new to me this year nonetheless).
10. Great Lakes Myth Society/Original Brothers & Sisters of Love
Two bands (obviously) but pretty much the same gang. I picked up Compass Rose Bouquet on a lark for a couple bucks and loved it. Nothing too dangerous here. Adult minded pop with a midwestern bent. It's like the Waterboys meet the Decemberists.
9. Bodies of Water - A Certain Feeling
Almost the opposite of the previous. Intense and Ambitious. Somewhere between Arcade Fire and Polyphonic Spree
8. Elbow - Seldom Seen Kid
None of their previous releases (though enjoyable) prepared me for this album. I really wish Britpop was more like this. Less whining, less preening. More attitude and swagger. Props also for the killer single "Grounds for Divorce"
7. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets
I know I'm a few years late to this one but well...the album they did release most recently (2007) wasn't nearly as good. Pop-punk on the positive tip. Bouncy and energetic.
6. Murder by Death - In Bocca al Lupo
Dark and Literate. An album that paints one noirish picture after the next. The tales of death, heartbreak and other assorted tragedy are so vivid that they might make you feel better about your own sorry lot. Somewhere between Decemberists and Sixteen Horsepower.
5. Throw me the Statue - Moonbeams
Indie pop with just a hint of vintage casio (check it out below). Two other things going for it. A reference to Raiders of the Lost Ark (I hope) and boobies on the cover. I know there are few things less cool with the indie crowd than actually acknowledging overt sexuality (well, Coors Light might be less cool but that's about it). Either way, I can't look at the cover of the album and the title and not be reminded of the "headlight" jokes of my youth. Regardless, a top notch album from the Secretly Canadian Label that has been cranking out some special stuff of late (Bodies of Water, Antony & the Johnsons, Songs: Ohia/Magnolia Electric Co.).
4. Mountain Goats - Talahassee
I know I'm late to this party too but it's not always easy to trust (let alone keep up with) those artists that put out so much material in such a short span (11 albums since 2000). Shit, just look at Ryan Adams. Anyway, I can't say enough good things about this album. It's quirky and dark at times and so soul baring you can't help but feel just a little vulnerable.
3. Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther
Don't you just love it when an album really strikes a chord. As any music lover can attest, it doesn't really happen all that often. You see hundreds of shows, check out thousands of albums and hear tens of thousands of songs and only a few of them will really hit you in the gut. It happened the first time I played the first track (Roscoe). The album as a whole channels the spirit of Fleetwood Mac (minus the drama) while maintaining it's own identity. It's smooth harmonies and catchy mid-tempo melodies will have you relaxed before you realize that the album for all intents and purposes is set in the late 19th century.
2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Indie rock at it's finest. It's big and intense and emotional. And yet it still manages to be accessible and genuine and catchy at the sametime. When you think about it, that really doesn't happen very often. Hopefully this isn't just lightning in a bottle though because I checked out the album prior (Funeral) and it yeilded nary a single feeling. Positive or otherwise. I have no idea how that album generated the buzz it did so I'm grateful to arrive here when I did.
1. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Light, spirited and full of bounce. It's 34 minutes of pop bliss. What else could you want?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment