Hey Rosetta's First Single Off Upcoming Album

Hey Rosetta! is an indie rock band set to release their upcoming album Seeds on February 15th. The video above was originally intended to be a concert film, with footage taken from two mid-December shows in the band's hometown of St. John's, Newfoundland. However, after director Noah Pink followed bandleader Tim Baker around St. John's one evening, camera in hand, the film took on a whole new life. Pink captured Tim and 15 friends as they caroled through the town, ending up at a party that started organically in the house of a stranger who invited the carolers inside.

Yer Spring [mp3]

Jon Margulies & Hobotech

Jon Margulies put out a free Hobotech release just in time for the holidays. I've been grooving to it since then, and now it's your turn. Head over to Bandcamp to pick up the other track, "Rollin' and Controllin'," which is of equal quality.

Baby, Don't You Wanna Go [mp3] (Bandcamp)

The title of the release is This Is the Place, which happily always reminds me of this:

Lykke Li

If I look back, I can probably trace my shift in views on pop music back to 2008. Aged 25, I was moving away from the late teen/early 20's view that pop music was shit, and towards understanding its place in music. In the UK at that time, pop music was changing too. Yes, we still had the Top 40 and boy bands and Smash Hits, but there was an ever increasing number of pop acts coming through with musical credibility, appealing to a more mature, picky people. One of those artists was Lykke Li, who's debut album was fantastic, grown up quirky pop songs, and I'm waiting in eager anticipation for her second album which is released in March. Her first single from it was 'Get Some', and I just discovered this interesting remix of it from Beck. It takes the tribal drumming, give's it a bit of a flip and dirty's it up with some filthy guitars. Noice.

Get Some (Beck Remix) [mp3]

I'm From Barcelona

"Get in Line" is the first single on Forever Today, the third studio album from this 27-member Swedish band, set to hit stores April 19th. Forever Today is all about the ups and downs of twenty-something people of I'm From Barcelona "sharing a small space and a big dream," worked into catchy pop songs full of singalong hooks and claps. The single below is set for digital release Feb 1st, but go ahead and check it out below so you can learn all the words before your friends do.

Get in Line [mp3]

Shilpa Ray album release party on Friday!

So you lucky ducks who live in NYC (oh yeah, I moved to DC by the way, since I never really announced that...) should all head out to see the talented Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers at Brooklyn Bowl this Friday (only $5!) to celebrate the release of their new album, Teenage and Torture, which came out today. Just to whet your appetite, here is a fun little music video / tribute to B horror movies.

Snowblink

A duo comprised of Daniela Gesundheit (thank you) and Dan Goldman, Snowblink is a Canadian folk/pop/rock band who are releasing their debut Long Live on Februrary 15th. Recently off their tour opening for Owen Pallett, this sweetly glazed confection weaves together delicate elements that build in strength alongside Daniela's honeyed and mellow vocals with Sufjan-esque songwriting.

Ambergris [mp3] (Pre-order on iTunes)

Lost in the Trees

Another lament for a missed show... Lost in the Trees played on Friday night, but despite a strong, trusted recommendation, I dragged my feet in grabbing tickets and it sold out. I've been trying to make up for it by playing their fantastic album, All Alone in an Empty House, on repeat for the past few days. Em gave it a nod way back in '09, but it's recently been gussied up for a wide release on their new label, ANTI-.

Here's how bandleader Ari Picker stated his goals for the album:

"I wanted it to be able to sound like it was recorded around a campfire – very acoustic guitar-driven and folky and simple. Then I wanted these orchestral sounds to come out of the woods and make a brief appearance and leave. I wanted it to be like an isolated person playing these songs, with all these textures weaved around it and suddenly disappearing."

Well, he nailed it, as is exemplified by the slow burn of the tense and sweeping title track. I've also included "Tall Trees" from their '07 EP, Time Taunts Me.

All Alone in an Empty House [mp3] (iTunes)
Tall Trees [mp3]

They're coming back to town in February, and I won't miss them. Here's the rest of their upcoming dates so you won't either:

1/13 / Gainesville, FL / Common Ground
1/14 / Jacksonville, FL / Underbelly
1/15 / Orlando, FL / The Social
1/16 / Fort Lauderdale, FL / The Monterey Club
1/17 / Tampa, FL / The Orpheum
1/18 / Tallahassee, FL / Club Downunder @ FSU
1/19 / Charleston, SC / The Charleston Pourhouse
1/20 / Macon, GA / The 567 Center
1/21 / Asheville, NC / Sage Cafe
1/22 / Charlotte, NC / Snug Harbor
1/23 / Atlanta, GA / The Earl
1/28 / Carbondale, IL / The Hangar 9
1/29 / Chicago, IL / Old Town School of Folk
1/30 / Columbus, OH / Wexner Center
2/1 / Woodstock, NY / Bearsville Theatre
2/2 / Providence, RI / Lupos Heartbreak Hotel
2/3 / Boston, MA / Wilbur Theatre
2/4 / Northampton, MA / Calvin Theatre
2/5 / Westhampton Beach, NY / Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
2/7 / New York, NY / Mercury Lounge
2/9 / Washington, DC / Black Cat Backstage

New mp3 from Chris Bathgate + Frontier Ruckus on tour

Lots of news from the great state of Michigan:

Download Chris Bathgate's new single, "No Silver," here. I'm really enjoying the rumbling drums and multi-layered percussion (is that a washboard I hear?). Classic old school backwater folk music.

Frontier Ruckus, some friends of Chris' with a similar sound and also hailing from Michigan, is on tour. Check out the dates.

Sick Day Music

The majority of us likely have a sick day routine, and I'd estimate that most of us incorporate a television into these plans. Whether its catching up with a TV series, inexplicably watching children's entertainment, or snuggling up with Bob Bark-erm...Drew...Carey, visual accompaniment is usually incorporated with vomiting uncontrollably.

Even I rarely incorporate music into the picture unless I'm having difficulty sleeping. But if I'm sick and struggling to count sheep, NyQuil takes precedence over soothing sounds.

I ask because today I am your test subject and target audience. I'm sick with the Gremlins: in addition to light sensitivity, I've eaten greasy tacos after midnight, and now my stomach is multiplying. Seemingly, I have five conditions for sick day music:

1. Easy on anything with bass.
2. No grating vocals. Preference is to be completely devoid of vocals.
   
3. Post-rock, or songs that naturally crescendo, is desired.
4. Cannot be better when listened to in headphones. (Today is not a headphones day.)
   
5. No License to Ill puns as an answer.

Explosions in the Sky's The World is Not a Cold Dead Place seems to be the answer returned when completing this algorithm. Does anyone have any other suggestions? It's either that or...Drew...Carey.

Frightened Rabbit

When bands have an amazing, near perfect album, following it up can be difficult. I think its even harder when the near perfect album has been written by someone who's dealing with heartbreak, who's life has been torn apart. I'm pretty confident that Justin Vernon won't be able to follow up 'For Emma, Forever Ago' with anything near as beautiful and heartfelt, and I was sure that Scott Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit would fall flat trying to create anything following on from what was my favourite album of 2008 'The Midnight Organ Fight'.
Luckily, he didn't fall on his face, he landed firmly on his feet and 2010's 'The Winter of Mixed Drinks' was a great album, and a different one, he didn't try to recreate, he just moved on. He moved on so much so that he and his band decided to cover the classic Elton John and Kiki Dee song, 'Don't go breaking my heart' as a double A side for their latest single. I heard it when I was rummaging through rails and rails of sale clothes a few days ago and decided that if i was going to spend a lot of money on clothes I don't need, and kind of don't really want, the least I could do was spend 79pence on iTunes and buy the single. So, as a preview, here it is in all its audio visual glory, live!

Artists to Watch in 2011

We've told you in past years to watch out for Florence and the Machine, Marina and the Diamonds, Ellie Goulding, Surfer Blood, Local Natives and Phantogram, so with much excitement we're proud to give you our list of Artists to Watch for in 2011.

Jessie J

Hands down the British are the most accomplished at sorting out the best new musicians by way of the BBC Sound of 2011, for which Jessie J has been nominated, and the Critics Choice BRIT Award, which Jessie J has just won. Jessie J started as a songwriter, writing hits for the likes of Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown and Alicia Keys. Her destructively catchy single "Dude It Like A Dude" (youtube), a song which makes more sense when you learn she's a lesbian, was released in November and has already spread like wildfire. However, I chose to post the above video to display just how seriously talented this girl is. There's no vocal editing or unnecessary autotune there, that's her just singing in her bedroom, and it's amazing. She's got the vocals of Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson combined with the come-at-me-bro attitude of Nicki Minaj. Don't be surprised if she becomes unstoppable in 2011.

The Vaccines

The Vaccines have also made a name for themselves across the pond, also earning a spot on BBC's Sound of 2011 and gaining plenty of attention for their 60's-esque light grunge alternative rock. In a bit of a sounds-like-someone-sold-their-soul story, the band formed in June 2010, released a demo weeks later, had it awarded "Hottest Record in the World" by Zane Lowe by August, played one gig in Leicester and then set off for their first UK tour, ending in their first London performance which sold out (they had to turn 200 people away) and played to an audience which included Alex Kapranos (lead singer of Franz Ferdinand), Marcus Mumford (Mumford & Sons) and Clash. While Lise is unsure what they'd really sound like if they lowered the reverb a bit, there's no doubt they have the power of supreme hype behind them, and they haven't even released a record yet.

Foster the People

Foster The People is an unsigned LA-based indie-pop band who formed in 2009 and got a bump in popularity after some SXSW performances and Hype Machine love this year. They are set on finishing their record and releasing their first three singles on iTunes later this month before going on California/Australia tour (apparently Australia's ahead of the pack). If their record holds just a few tracks as sweetly crafted as the sensation above, no doubt you'll be hearing them on the radio and reading about them on 2011's Best Albums lists.

Sky Ferreira

In 2007, at the age of 15, missing-Olsen Sky Ferreira went ahead and promoted herself at clubs in LA, which must've done something because two years later she was signed to Parlophone. Now, after nearly four years of work and two relatively successful singles, Sky Ferreira will release her debut album next week. Although this one could be a flash in the pan, when you start off with this much glitter, production and money-backing early on in your career, there's always some way of bouncing back via home acoustic roots method if things don't catch on. Only time will tell how this one ends up.

Tennis

Tennis is comprised of husband-and-wife duo Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore. In case you haven't heard the story, one day the two decided to leave their Denver town and travel around the world by sailboat for eight months. When they returned, they poked around with the idea of creating an indie rock band and sing all about their adventures, and in the end said, "why not?" 2010 saw a release of a couple of these tracks, with "Marathon" being their greatest hit on the internet (that video above has over 100,000 views). They still need to put together more songs before setting a full release date, but if they can keep the adoration they've gotten this far, they'll be singing their indie pop sea stories for us all throughout 2011.

Lord Huron

Tropical Folk Pop. That's right, we said Tropical Folk Pop. Considering that many of those who remember watching Lion King in the theater are now twenty-something hipsters, this is one of the most brilliant combination we can think of. Ben Schneider, aka Lord Huron, self-released two EPs this year containing the most simply lush and joy-expelling tracks we've come across in a long while. With rhythms shifting, light and playful, and arpeggios swarming like fireflies, Lord Huron's music rises majestically and takes you into a wispy dream world of magic. The boy - er, Lord- is making four small stops to play live alongside Tennis (above) this year, and given the complexity of his instrumentation, everyone is eager to find out what that'll be like. We can't wait for a full length which will hopefully see the light of day in 2011, but until then, we'll be keeping our ears open for more Simba-inspired music.

Willow Smith

Ugh, we hate ourselves, but we have to put ten-year old Willow Smith on this list. Daughter of Hollywood stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Willow released her first whiplash-inducing single in September of 2010 and then got signed by Jay-Z's label after everyone on the internet became obsessed with the hypnotic and sassy track. She performed her signature song on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest (it hurt to type that) and although her second leaked song "Rockstar" failed to make the same splash as "Whip My Hair," no doubt eyes will be on this little one to see what she can bring in 2011.

Warpaint

The blogsphere just loves Warpaint right now. Another LA group, this four-women experimental art rock group released their first full length The Fool in October and by virtue of momentous hype Lise can't even remember what she thought of them the first time she heard them. All new-ness of experiencing Warpaint has been moved to "Oh yeah, that track's by Warpaint" which must mean something good for the band that formed in 2004.

Honorable Mentions of 2010

Here's the albums that we felt were worthy of recognition but just didn't quite make our Best Albums. Stay tuned tomorrow for our Artist to Watch in 2011 list!

note: mp3s are no longer available as of 1/20, but you can still listen to them on our hype page.

Villagers - Becoming a Jackal
Lise was enthralled the first time she heard Irish-bred Conor O'Brien aka Villagers in June of last year, calling this debut album comprised "enriched numbers filled with instrumentation, wind-whipped into guitar-strafed sensations that are remarkably expansive yet intimate." Still, this album doesn't mount as high in style as others, but lays enough to reason that Villagers is well on its way to great albums to come.
Becoming a Jackal [mp3] (Amazon / iTunes)

Ellie Goulding - Lights
Although Ellie Goulding's Lights album has yet to officially hit the US, we state-side have gotten a good glimpse via An Introduction to Ellie Goulding. As one of our Artists to watch for in 2010, Ellie has done quite well for herself this year, topping the BBC Sound of 2010 poll,winning the Critics Choice Award at the 2010 BRIT Awards, landing no. 1 on the UK albums chart and having her lovely cover of Elton John's "Your Song" place as the 30th best selling single of the year. With trembling vocals that seem delicate but are surprisingly elastic, shiny Starsmith pop production, catchy hooks and the power of the UK's adoration, this album is worth the notice.
Under the Sheets[mp3] (Amazon / iTunes)

Sleigh Bells - Treats
No one can deny this album's infectious loudness by the grungy noise pop duo of Sleigh Bells, however, it is often over-fuzzed to the point of wondering why they even bother to use lyrics instead of meaningless babble ("Crown On The Ground," "Infinity Guitars"). Few stellar and clearer pop tracks such as "Rill Rill" and "Kids" and the superb infusion of hip hop beats (thanks, M.I.A.) give it enough oompf to place on our lists, with "Rill Rill" being one of our favorite singles of the year.
Rill Rill [mp3] (Amazon / iTunes)

James Yuill - Movement in a Storm
Some have said he's a genius, others have said he's inspired the folktronica generation, whatever that means. Keith just says he's amazing. His debut Turning Water For Air was a massively under-appreciated electro folk gem and he managed to follow it with a more accomplished album this year (although the US has yet to acquire it). Just amazing.
On Your Own [mp3] (Amazon)

Marina & the Diamonds - The Family Jewels
Marina is a New Wave Indie Pop diva who sings with the confidence of Kate Bush and the vigor of Florence and the Machine. Also listed as one of our Artists to Watch in 2010, Marina was runner-up in BBC Sound of 2010, won Best UK and Irish Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards and was featured on Vogue UK.com throughout November as their famous blogging fashionista. Although her albums has clear standout tracks such as "Mowgli's Road," "Oh No!," and the introduction-friendly "I Am Not A Robot," some find the mesh of 80's "Rio"-esque groove in "The Outsider" to be oddly placed and the overall album lacking total cohesiveness and strength. Still, it's clear that Marina and the Diamonds aren't going anywhere and have set their place amongst the new up and coming sensations of the decade.
I Am Not A Robot [mp3] (Amazon / iTunes)

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Arcade Fire broke down imaginative barriers this year with the release of their revolutionary interactive music video (best used on Google Chrome) for their song "We Used To Wait." Although none of the tracks reach the epic dramatic levels of 2004 Funerals' "Wake Up," it is still a wondrous compilation of well-constructed melodies, spacious-feeling guitars and anthem-laden lyrics.
We Used To Wait [mp3] (Amazon / iTunes)

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
As expected, the Gorillaz released another solid album of future-pop marked by an even more illustrious group of collaborators (this time around: Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, and members of the Clash, among others). Although this one's foregone the marquee superstar producer-of-the-moment, as head Gorilla Damon Albarn's produced much of the album himself. As the title suggests, things have gotten a bit more synthetic, but the electronics are deftly juxtaposed with the soul of Bobby Womack and the string of sinfonia ViVA. The result is dark and melancholy with a glittery sheen. And quite good, even if, as usual, it runs a bit long. (And now, as a holiday treat, Gorillaz have gone and released another album, The Fall, recorded entirely on the iPad. Enjoy that as well.)
Rhinestone Eyes [mp3] (Amazon / iTunes)

Andrew Belle - The Ladder

This simultaneously melancholy yet plucky debut album quickly set Andrew Belle apart from other male singer-songwriters with his well-written, thoughtful songs, warm voice and rich orchestration. Overall, a beautiful album.
Static Waves ft. Katie Herzig [mp3] - ( Amazon / iTunes )

Emanuel and the Fear - Listen
While a little heavy-handed at times (there's something a little hypocritical-sounding about a white guy who went to NYU, one of the most expensive schools in the country, singing lyrics like "but the gringo concerned only if the boy has washed his hands"), but his attempt to get people to really think about the world we live in and provoke social change is admirable, and the music that Emanuel and his 11-piece orchestra make is catchy, rockin' and highly enjoyable. And, in their defense, some of the lyrics are actually quite insightful.
Dear Friend [mp3] - ( Amazon / iTunes )

Fredrik - Trilogi
This album twists and turns with layers upon layers of haunting instrumentation that builds and subsides like waves, as seems to be Fredrik's style. This album was actually a trilogy of EPs that Fredrik created long ago, and it is certainly a bit darker than their previous album, but, as is always the case with Fredrik, the magnificent layers of each song reward multiple listens and makes the album grow on you with every play. They also came out with a vinyl-only 3-song EP this year that is quite wonderful.
Locked in the Basement [mp3] - ( Amazon / iTunes )

Glasser - Ring
This album is epically spacious in sound, swirling with slightly revered vocals on top of exotic instruments and infused with a swish of electronica. The result is something tribal, dream pop and quenching, seemingly taking you away to a different world. It twinkles in a way that never gets tiring or old, yet due to its dreamy nature, there are few tracks that immediately grab, meaning that this may go under-appreciated by the main masses.
Home [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )


Blood Red Shoes - Fire Like This
This is party rock at it's best - almost every song at a frenzied tempo with epic vocals, screaming guitars and thumping bass lines that you can't help but jump up and down to. Their single, Light it Up, is particularly catchy and fun to yell along with. All in all, a really fun album.
Light it Up [mp3] - ( Amazon / iTunes )

Best Albums of 2010

As you might be able to tell by our lack of posting, we were hard at work over the holidays putting together our end of the year lists. Today is the first of three lists - our Best Albums of 2010 list. As per usual, this is simply a list comprised of albums we've listened to this year and adored. We don’t post any album that we haven’t given solid ears to; likewise we don't give in to hype that we feel undeserved. In no particular order, we present them to you:

note: mp3s are no longer available as of 1/20, but you can still listen to them on our hype page.

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Although Sigh No More was released in the UK in 2009, we state-side didn't get it until February of 2010. Earning two Grammy nominations, this folk rock venture featured banjo, dramatic fiddles, honest lyrics, gritty southern harmony (however English they are), raw acoustic guitar, intelligent songwriting and just enough twang to add extra charm. Big singles included "Little Lion Man," "Awake My Soul" and "White Blank Page," although each track on the album crooned a heartfelt and sincere story, whether it be about love or learning or both, brilliantly woven in spectacular musicianship.
Little Lion Man [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

Vampire Weekend - Contra
Can you belive that this was Vampire Weekend's second album? Contra was released so early in 2010 and gained such acceptance and radio play that it's easy to assume that it's been around for years. 2010 was "Horchata" and "Cousins" blasting on the radio, with the latter being covered by near every musician on the planet, most notably by the above Mumford & Sons. The energy and catchiness of rock-pop tracks helped this album sell more than 400,000 copies and truly set Vampire Weekend as a well known and established band.
Cousins [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid
Upon first listen to Monae's most popular and catchy single, "Tightrope," it was clear that Monae had the talent to make it in the industry. Watching her videos and live performances with her confidence and often wacky personality ensured our interest. Another great song (and music video), "Cold War," soon followed, and people began to give the album a proper listen and realize that the girl refuses to keep to one genre. As we've stated previously, The ArchAndroid is an epic 18 tracks featuring all kinds of genres from R&B to classical to hair metal to old timey show tunes and much much more. It's innovative, assured and downright interesting in all the right ways.
Tightrope [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

J Roddy Walston and the Business - J Roddy Walston and the Business
Some call it Rock n' Roll, some call it reborn Blues Rock, but whatever you think of this album by J Roddy Walston and the Business, you've got to admit the energy it high, the songs are legendary and every last member of this band plays their heart out. Few tracks sound straight from Queen ("Full Growing Man") while other we're certain Elvis would've loved to perform ("Don't Break the Needle"). When Lise was introduced to them in August, she said, "This is the kind of album that you want to turn up to 11 and blast out the windows, it's just that good."
Don't Break the Needle [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

Jeremy Messersmith - The Reluctant Graveyard
Smart indie pop done right by a Minneapolis troubadour. Lise loved this album, finding each track worth multiple listens just to appreciate all the macabre substance packed within. Messersmith explores the spectrum of the enigmatic subject of death with unbelievable range and focus, and even though more than half of this record is bright and melodic, the dark undertone can't be missed (like in "Deathbed Salesman" where the song choruses living life to the fullest and finding someone to love all the while selling you your coffin extrinsically during the verses.) Messersmith's songwriting has evolved skillfully, gaining comparisons to the Beatles and the Beach Boys and shaping an album full of upbeat songs with 60's flair into something brilliant.
Organ Donor [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

The Roots - How I Got Over
The Roots reliably put out quality music (and put on a spectacular live show), but they haven't released an album of this caliber in a good while, if ever. How I Got Over is incredibly tight and economical, with a consistent groove and a cohesive, cool-but-contemplative vibe that hits hard in a very chilled out fashion. Seamlessly woven in are stellar reworkings of tracks by Monsters of Folk and Joanna Newsom. Two other tracks tack quality samples to new heights: John Legend's "Again" becomes "Doin' It Again," and Major Lazer's silly auto-tuned "Baby" becomes "bonus" banger "Hustla," which has been consistently stuck in Ant's head for going on six months now.
The Day [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History
Back in November of 2009, Keith wrote of TDCC, "Their debut album should be released in Feb 2010, if it's anywhere near as good as their EP, Four Words To Stand On, then we're in for a treat." He wasn't wrong. It's an almost faultless indie pop record, 10 tracks, 33 minutes. Done.
What You Know [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

Kayne West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Watching the MTV Video Music Awards is a depressing ritual, but suffering through this year's string of carefully presented mini pop spectacles was well worth it for the jarring contrast of the evening's finale - the debut of Kanye West's "toast for the douchebags," "Runaway." It was dark, funny, awkward, frank, self-indulgent, and, on top of all that, a serious artistic achievement. And the album as a whole is just the same. It's not his best album (that title still belongs to Late Registration in Ant's opinion), but it's a fully realized musical embodiment of Kanye West at this moment, and where he's trying to take hip hop, and music in general. It's his beautiful, dark, twisted fantasy, and he's sharing it with all of us. We should count ourselves lucky.
Lost in the World/Who Will Survive in America [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

Robyn - Body Talk
Long before the beloved Swedes of Refused, Bergman, or sexiest hockey player alive Henrik Lundqvist entered Matt's life, he was all of ten years old when Robyn's tracks were blowing up American pop charts and favorite Lori Beth Denberg vehicle All That. Fourteen years later, she still manages to blow him away. To Matt, saying that Body Talk is anything other than the most mature pop tour de force he has every listened to is blasphemy. He had two "I'll always remember where I was when I first heard ___" song moments this year because of this album. The first was "Fembot," thinking it was the most progressive pop song he had heard in quite some time, until he came across "Dancing On My Own." Matt wanted to turn to someone and say "Robyn is Here...to stay!" That was a thing he wanted to do. A trilogy of memorable albums in one year. Lost time- made up for. Thanks, Robyn. Throbyn.
Dancing On My Own [mp3] ( Amazon/ iTunes)


Beach House - Teen Dream
Music that'll instantly take all your negative energy away and entrance you into a calm slumber. Beautiful, serene and crashing reverbed electric guitar rifts with dreamy vocals provided by Victoria Legrand, this album was the epitome of simply lovely atmospheric and lullaby listening.
Zebra[mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Yeasayer's blissful, exultant, shimmering pop music (and accompanying trippy videos) when straight for Ant's heart earlier this year. Like many great artists, their songwriting at the foundation is fairly traditional. Their lyrics are rarely anything special. The magic is in an experimental yet soulful presentation, consisting of pounding beats, electronics and amazing vocal melodies and harmonies. The group reaches great heights with both bouncers ("Ambling Alp" and "O.N.E.") and devotional ballads ("Madder Red" and "I Remember"). Ant's New Year's resolution is to catch them live.
O.N.E. [mp3] ( Amazon / iTunes )

Jukebox the Ghost - Everything Under the Sun

Jukebox the Ghost's Sophomore album is just as good as their debut was, expanding on their habit to create songs that are on the one hand, rather silly, but always entertaining and with beautiful, complex instrumentation. They really stand out from other bands. They are not silly for silly's sake - it is no gimmick. This album continues to prove that these guys have real talent.
Schizophrenia [mp3] - ( Amazon / iTunes )

Drink Up Buttercup - Born and Thrown on a Hook
This ruckus album full of banging percussion, wailing vocals, and raspy guitars is reminiscent of Sargent Pepper, if Sargent Pepper were at a creepy nightmarish circus. Being one of our bands to watch for 2010 last year, and having already built up a reputation for awesome performances, this was the Philadelphia band's debut album, and it showcases their unique style perfectly.
Sosey Dosey [mp3] - ( Amazon / iTunes )