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 )

Arcade Fire Breaks New Barriers

In August 1981, Video killed the radio star on MTV. In August 2010, Arcade Fire radicalized the Video on the internet. The Wilderness Downtown - created by Chris Milk- is an interactive film that features their song "We Used to Wait." It is by far the most innovative form of experiencing music that we have seen in at least the past decade. Built in HTML5 and employing Google Chrome, The Wilderness Downtown evolves with user-based content that you determine before the video starts. You simply enter your hometown into their search bar and then watch as the video unravels.

The film focuses on a mysterious man running through the streets in search for clarity. This is a fairly reoccurring concept in music videos. The catch - and the novelty of it - is that these streets are moving images of your hometown. The organic flow of the video is bolstered by striking silhouettes of birds flying over the real-world images. As the video progresses, you are asked to write a letter to your past self. This too transforms, as your words branch out like trees and the silhouetted birds jump across the screen to carry the letter away.

What else is there to say about this music video?  It is both thrilling and cathartic to be a part of the creative process. And Arcade Fire's sweet harmonies and punctuated rhythms fully enhance the experience. While there is room for improvement in the technology, I'm excited to see how this type of video will progress within the year. 
 

Enjoy the experience of  The Wilderness Downtown
Purchase Arcade Fire's latest album: The Suburbs

New Music: Arcade Fire, The Walkmen, Best Coast

If you haven't already heard, The Arcade Fire's long-awaited The Suburbs dropped yesterday, and you can scoot on over to Amazon and buy the whole album in mp3 format for $3.99.

All last month I had a "BEST COAST DROPS TODAY" note-to-self on my phone for July 27 and still I forgot to mention it up here. So now I'm mentioning it. Check out Crazy For You, and report back here next week for my full review...

Lastly, I'm way way stoked (yes, stoked -- blame it on listening to Best Coast and spending too much time in LA) for the new Walkmen album, Lisbon, coming out on September 14. Time to program a note-to-self. For now, have a listen to first single "Stranded"

The Walkmen - "Stranded" [mp3]

Best Coast - "Our Deal" [mp3]

Blame Canada

So, I was reading an article about the band Arcade Fire (awesome band by the way) in an old issue of Entertainment Weekly (I'm at work and there's is nothing to do here) and it said that they are from Montreal. Is it just me, or have other people been hearing that a lot lately too? It seems like everyone who's anyone in indie music right now came from Montreal - or if not Montreal, Canada in general. Spin apparently called it the "next big scene" in February (boy were they right, and apparently I'm a little behind the times).

A little over a week ago, I went to a concert as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn series and all three bands - Malajube, Sam Roberts Band, and The Stills - were from Montreal. It was a Canadian-themed night, so you would think they would've tried to get a little more geographical diversity, but nope. I liked Malajube and The Stills a lot, and all of three bands seemed like really cool people and were pretty solid rock bands. Sam Roberts band was ok. A little... folky for my tastes? No, I don't know. I liked them, I just didn't love them. The Stills were pretty good. I'd seen them last year at Siren Fest too. This show was a little lower energy, but I think that was largely the audience's fault. And I even really liked Malajube despite my lack of French. I know there are tons of other French Montreal bands that I don't know about, but I am still learning when it comes to music in foreign languages (one of my favorite things about listening to music is singing along after all, so it took me a while to embrace foreign music) so bear with me.

Wolf Parade, another Montreal band, formed when given the opportunity to open for Arcade Fire. And while Stars - one of my favorite bands - is not originally from Montreal (they are originally from Toronto), they relocated to Montreal after spending some time in New York City (and I always hear them being referred to as "from Montreal"). I also saw them perform last year at Siren Fest and they were spectacular. Amy Milian, the female singer-guitarist of Stars, has one of the most unique and beautiful voices I've ever heard. The song "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" from the album "Set Yourself on Fire" is positively hauntingly beautiful, and is my favorite song by them. I definitely relate. Coincidentally, Amy Milian and fellow Stars' singer Torquil Campbell also perform with another awesome Canadian band, Broken Social Scene, formed in Toronto. And that brings me to yet another Broken Social Scene performer, Leslie Feist, who's solo career (simply as Feist) has blossomed beautifully.

Though born in New York, Rufus Wainwright (and presumably his sister Martha Wainwright, also a musician) spent most of his childhood in Montreal and began his rise to fame there before moving back to New York. Speaking of sibling musicians, twin performers Tegan and Sara were born in Calgary and Sara currently resides in Montreal.

Montreal is even inspiring American band names. Of Montreal is not from Montreal but from Athens, Georgia - another semi-recent "it" place for the indie scene. Apparently the band was named by founder Kevin Barnes after a "failed romance" with a woman from Montreal (according to Wikipedia).

Ok, so I'm sure there are tons more awesome bands from Montreal and/or Canada that I didn't highlight here, but please don't attack me for it. However, do feel free to tell me about them as I am always looking for new, good music to listen to. And since this is only my second post, I should tell you that I try to post songs by the artists I talk about so you can hear samplings of them. So here ya go. Enjoy:

I've seen Stars' new single "The Night Starts Here" floating around on the internet quite a bit. It's lovely and gives me high hopes for their new album In Our Bedroom After the War, due to hit shelves September 25th. And my favorite from their album Set Yourself on Fire, "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" .

And we'll finish today with my faves from Feist, "My Moon My Man" from the album The Reminder. Also from that album "Sea Lion Woman" and "When I was a Young Girl" (which I can't find except for live versions that I can't listen to on this computer at work and since I don't know if the recording quality is any good I am not going to link to them). Well that is all for now. Tata dahlings.

share this post on de.licio.us / facebook