A music blogger’s inevitable end of the year assignment is to evaluate the past years best, whether it be in the form of songs or LP’s. 2010 was an extraordinary year for a multitude of bands that came into their own, creating albums that honed their creative talents, and in some cases provided proof positive that they were to be a strong outfit for many years to come. To narrow down such a wide field of releases is no easy challenge, and in the case of music there can be no such definitive answer to what was best. Breaking down music is an opinionated field, and thus no one survey can be correct, and a consensus measures only a majority from a select few of ears and listeners. The bands and albums I have chosen were so due to their outstanding output in the year, measured against their overall output and burgeoning creativity. Some of the selected may come as no surprise while others you may not have heard of.
Yeasayer-Odd Blood
Yeasayer first came to my attention through the great Dark Was The Night compilation, the terrific and offbeat “Tightrope” that was an introduction to a wider audience just what Yeasayer was. Earnest vocal deliveries with a Bruce Springsteen “I’m On Fire” styled lyrical honesty with a sound that was utterly new and unique. Odd Blood takes the sonic gamble ten-fold, new textures abound and Yeasayer doesn’t only seem to live in the unknown, but they relish it. Their devilish layer upon layer upon layer of musical backdrops make it look like Prince and Beck have been mailing it in their whole musical careers. Yeasayer’s Odd Blood is truly a postmodern record, it doesn’t want to sacrifice to the public to be understood, like MGMT on Flash Delerium, it just doesn’t care. So why should you? Because this is a band with un-compromised and this is where music is going in the next few years.
Yeasayer- Ambling Alp
Yeasayer- Love Me Girl
Zac Brown Band-You Get What You Give
Zac Brown Band is country mostly only in name, but they truly owe their roots more to 70′s rock and rock-country acts like The Eagles, yet they also possess a laid back aesthetic (as evidenced by the Jimmy Buffett duet) and a penchant for jam band rock. At times they come off like a much happier upbeat Dave Matthews Band, yet Zac Brown Band truly is a band outfit, not a solo one. The harmonies are gorgeously up front and beautifully layered. The light-hearted feel to the music is helped by Zac Brown’s axe of choice, a nylon stringed acoustic. Yet many bands have tried to possess the Zac Brown Band style and failed, ZBB is chock full of first rate musicianship and effortless lyrics that are perfect for the bands moods. Perhaps the best thing Zac Brown Band has going for them is their lead man, Zac Brown himself who possesses a earnest tuneful vocal that sounds like the voice of an everyman, though when he’s harmonizing with his band mates its even better. “As She’s Walking Away” features harmonies that would make Grateful Dead and The Eagles proud, and a chord structure similar to John Lennon’s Beatle era. This is probably the warmest and most good-hearted album 2010 released.
Zac Brown Band- As She’s Walking Away
Zac Brown Band – As She’s Walking Away (featuring Alan Jackson)
Zac Brown Band- Let It Go
The National-High Violet
Following Boxer, a record by The National that seemed to relish quiet atmosphere, many did not know whether The National would continue on this new musical path or return to their much louder roots. In many ways High Violet is an evolution, but the musical backing is more out of the depths of Alligator than the quiet retreats of Boxer, in many ways High Violet is a third act to The Nationals previous two incarnates, a more matured and paranoid album, encompassing both the vigor of youth and frailty of growing older. It’s apocalyptic lyrical themes, featured prominently in “Conversation 16″ are better conveyed as an allusion to the fear of growing useless and unappreciated in society and love than any other use of zombie I’ve seen. “Anyone’s Ghost” is a brooding song that has become Matt Berninger’s tour-de-force. Brian Devendorf is a revelation, pounding out rhythms that showcase his instinct for the unexpected . Even the sound, which contains considerable dynamics, is fuller than any previous National record, with horns and strings and guitars galore.
The National- Anyone’s Ghost
The National- Little Faith
Local Natives-Gorilla Manor
Local Natives burst onto the scence with a harnessed sonic aesthetic rarely seen in a band debut. Many were quick to point out similarities to the woodsy Fleet Foxes, and the afro-frenetic rhythms of Vampire Weekend but in truth Local Natives is a band much more unique and much less stylistically pigeon-holed. The album was created, following the time tested rock and roll tradition of living together under one roof. As tribute they named their debut Gorilla Manor, the bands name for their temporary home. The album is full of propulsive rhythms and impressive sonic dynamics, “Camera Talk” is a clean anthem worthy of Arcade Fire praise, “Airplanes” one of the sweetest and most mature odes to a passed on family member (a grandfather) ever recorded. Their harmonies put them among the likes of past groups Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young with their tightness and synchronization (as on “Cards and Quarters”), yet the members of CSNY had previous experience under their belt. The sheer organic quality of this record makes it supremely listenable and one of the more fascinating to be released this year.
Local Natives- Airplanes
Local Natives- Cards and Quarters
Local Natives – Cards and Quarters
She and Him-Volume 2
She and Him seemed at first destined to be pure novelty, not many actresses have toed the songstress line as deftly as Zooey Deschanel. Yet She and Him Volume 1 proved to be a thrilling, if not limited debut and Vol. 2 only improves on where Vol. 1 left off. The partnership between M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel is at full force and less of a “look this actress can sing too!”. Deschanel proves to be an able songwriter too, and shines under M. Ward’s deft touches on production, even her singing seems brighter and fuller. Yes, the penchant for retro is still there, but its done out in such authenticity that its a welcome feeling. “Riding In My Car” is a perfect example of the album’s best qualities, a lusher production value, strong vocals by both Deschanel and Ward, a great melodic hook and great guitar solo. This is a perfect album for the late afternoon and early evening with someone special, its heart-warming and just a happy record.
She and Him- Ridin’ In My Car
She and Him – Ridin’ in My Car
She and Him- Thieves
The Black Keys- Brothers
When The Black Keys came out with Attack and Release they were instantly lauded by critics praising their work with DJ Dangermouse at the helm. So no one really expected them to have a follow-up with as much success. But The Black Keys had been a band long before their work with Dangermouse and being the veterans that they were, took their experiences from the album to craft an event more fitting style and sound. Brothers comes out even swampier, their psychedelic rock style even more defined and proof that they were in control. Yes, Dangermouse did produce one of the songs on the album “Tighten Up” but the overall cohesiveness and song strength is more proof to lead singer Dan Auerbach’s creative talents (He had come out with a solo album last year) than to the work of a record producer.
The Black Keys- Howlin’ For You
The Black Keys – Howlin’ For You
The Black Keys- Tighten Up
Arcade Fire-The Suburbs
Arcade Fire were smash hit indie darlings after the release of their first two albums Funeral and Neon Bible having survived the sophomore slump people wondered what to expect. What they got was something Arcade Fire had yet to offer, a whole and masterful 16 track album. While it was easy to pick out the best songs on both Funeral (“Wake Up”) and Neon Bible (“No Cars Go”) The Suburbs was an album that was equal to Arcade Fire’s progressing talent. One such example, often lost nowadays is the track sequencing, even if the back to back songs don’t stylistically match, their juxtaposition provides the momentum that a record craves, it’s as if Funeral and Neon Bible were only portraits, and The Suburbs is the whole portfolio. Yet in all its grandeur its lyrically intimate, somewhat of Darkness on the Edge of Town, Arcade Fire styled, it’s about returning to your roots and acknowledging that you’re growing older. Win Butler’s croon “I want a daughter while I’m still young…I want to hold her hand and show her some beauty before all this damage is done” is on a bare bones level that equals Springsteen at his best. It’s an exciting record and without a doubt belongs among the best of the year.
Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
Arcade Fire- Ready to Start
Justin Townes Earle-Harlem River Blues
Harlem River Blues finds Justin Townes Earle at a stylistic crossroads in his career, his previous album Midnight At The Movies had been a much more traditional country effort, but Harlem River Blues finds Earle with a more rock-country groove. The oft troubled troubadour sounds much more inspired in his new locale, and the music and its listeners benefit. The changes from his previous release are obvious, with Earle showing a confidence in his voice that couldn’t have been expected and reveal him to be a great singer. Unfortunately there wasn’t to be too big of a press blitz for soon after the album release Justin Townes Earle would find himself facing his demons again, getting kicked out of his own show and put into rehab for alcoholism. This shouldn’t count against his album though “Harlem River Blues”, “Move Over Mama”, and “One More Night in Brooklyn” are of instant classic material featuring Earle at his songwriting best combining a sense of optimism with slight hints of trouble storming underneath. It will be a shame if people don’t catch on to this album and see that Justin Townes Earle possesses a massive talent, and will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.
Justin Townes Earle- Move Over Mama
Justin Townes Earle – Move Over Mama
Justin Townes Earle- One More Night In Brooklyn
Justin Townes Earle – One More Night in Brooklyn
Beach House-Teen Dream
Teen Dream is a huge record. Beach House had already found themselves in top form with 2008′s Devotion so there was little room to improve as critics saw fit, so room was what they improved. The sound is grand, befitting of the cathedral that they recorded the album in. The soundscape is lush and expansive and the vocals filling the space like their own entity. Their sound picks up where the Beach Boy’s Pet Sounds left off, if only a little more mature and not brimming with optimism. “Walk In The Park” features a gorgeous melody Brian Wilson would be proud of with a beautiful loping guitar line. Teen Dream is an album of haunting beauty, built on simplicity but layered in a way that makes it entirely unique. True, you’re in the wrong place if you’re looking for something upbeat, but Teen Dream is a welcome respite and one of the most cohesive albums I’ve heard in a while.
Beach House- Zebra
Beach House- Silver Soul
Kanye West-My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
People said he was washed up, that he couldn’t cope with the personal losses in his life, that his music was on the way down and what was once a story immense talent had turned into hedonism and too much ego. Yet after a brief hiatus from producing any music at all, Marvin Gaye came out with Midnight Love and was back on top of the musical world again. So it is for Kanye West, after a disappointing album filled with too much Autotune and a musical hiatus due to the death of his mother, he’s back. There is absolutely no better parallel musically than Marvin Gaye, both had their demons and struggles after years of great fame, both socially conscious and both unafraid to bare their soul on a record. Many were appalled at his behavior towards Taylor Swift at the VMA’s saying how dare he, how could he. Yet he nonetheless has come out the victor, Taylor Swift would write a childish musical response, and Kanye West would come out with a masterpiece album. Swift became a pawn to his image, and overall as an artist has yet to show as much talent in her career as West did with this album. Gone is the reliance on Autotune, instead MDTF is filled with some of the best samples West has ever made, just “Power” and “Runaway” alone would have guaranteed a sell out album. It’s Kanye West letting out his ego; unapologetic, unmatched and unparalleled.
Kanye West- Runaway
Kanye West – Runaway [feat. Pusha T]
Kanye West- Dark Fantasy
The Morning Benders-Big Echo
When The Morning Benders first came into the music scene with their Talking Through Tin Cans debut they were a band that thrived on a roots rock aesthetic and strongly hooked melodies. Not that this was a bad thing, nor was Chris Chu particularly bad at it, on the contrary their debut thrived and their audience grew off the nimble song-craft that Chu put forth without any production frills. Big Echo represented a huge artistic jump for the band, one that Grizzly Bear band member Chris Taylor was often credited for due to his help on production. Yet Big Echo is really Chris Chu’s baby and an evolution of songwriting that was unexpected, delightedly so. Big Echo is a record of promise, and also of no single definition. Many were quick to equate Big Echo to a Phil Spector produced LP with the leading single “Excuses” and it’s instantly lauded live version on Yrs Truly. Yet the album contains a refreshing sound collage musical backdrop that, upon reading the liner notes, seem as much as at home in an inventors workshop as in Chu’s able hands. The aforementioned “Excuses” is a wonderful modern retro number, “Wet Cement” beautifully sleepy, “Cold War” pure nostalgic bliss, and “Promises” packs a modern melodic hook that Talking Through Tin Cans was sorely missing. The other numbers carry an enigmatic bliss to them as if they emerged from the depths of Jimi Hendrix’s “1983(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)”. It is a document of a band in the midst of a sonic evolution and its a pleasure to hear unfold.
The Morning Benders- Mason Jar
The Morning Benders – Mason Jar
The Morning Benders- Cold War
The Morning Benders – Cold War
Awesome list–I loved “Ambling Alp!” I thought Broken Bells and Plastic Beach were terrific too–they both had unique, and in the case of the latter, sprawling sounds and a handful of tracks I keep returning to.