After significant amounts of online searching, reading reviews, and asking the benevolent bearded fellow at Cheapo for recommendations, I've reached the conclusion that there's an awful lot of amazing music out there, a heady deluge of sounds to explore. With my reviewing job, I've been made aware of plenty that I wouldn't have without steady access to new material. Here's my top-ten list for 2010. If you get anything from my suggestions, then my hours crouched over my mini netbook, testing the limitations of my headphones and eardrums, have not been spent in vain.
1. Mgmt-Congratulations
2. Frankie Rose and the Outs
3. Goldfrapp-Head First
4. Baths-Cerulean
5. Black Tambourine (A reissue of previously out-of-print, or OOP material)
6. How to Dress Well-Love Remains
7. Aeroplane-We Can't Fly
8. Casio Kids
9. Fran Healy (Of Travis fame-his duet with Neko Case is especially savory)
10. Benoit Piolard-Lasted
Mgmt's new album was grossly unappreciated by damn near everyone, but it's a huge improvement over their debut, and features significant musical growth in every important area. Ever tried writing a few lyrics, and then stretching them into anything resembling a three-minute pop song? How about something over ten minutes that still holds attention and provokes any kind of emotional response? That's Mgmt's new one for you.
Goldfrapp's Head First was also neglected, because it sounds too effortlessly simplistic to have taken much effort, and those criticisms are tenable so long as they include mention of the confident song-writing ability, experience, and professionalism that give the record its 80s dance sheen. Head First may be slick, but it's deliberately so, a record by a studied dance devotee, with the music coming from her marrow. The poppy 'Believer' alone can rouse the most reticent from their recliners.
I've listened to Aeroplane more than any other new release this year, and while it falters down the album's latter half, the first five songs are amazing enough to include it on the list unhesitatingly. Same for the Casio Kids, who not only made a winning debut, but put on a convincing performance at 7th Street Entry early this year. I have a drum stick to prove I was there, and the memory of blisters from when Sara and I joined them onstage for some spirited dancing.
Near the year's tail-end, I got heavily into electronic music, taking a respite from guitar bands, electric and otherwise. I've listened to massive amounts of Elton John, courtesy of my parents' record collection. I also found, and listened to the Dub Pistols, 'Six Million Ways to Live,' which is a few years old, but is a breathtaking blend of dub, hiphop, and rock. Oh, and ABBA; lots and lots of ABBA this year.
Kanye West's latest, while a late-entry, just isn't my thing. It's clearly a lot of other peoples' thing, since it made the top slot on numerous critic's polls. I had a hard time getting into 'noise-rock,' like No Age, and Women, which also made a lot of lists. I like, and even demand sometimes, feedback and distortion, but I also like being able to decipher lyrics. Same with Arcade Fire, who lost me completely with the ponderous, overwrought Neon Bible a few years back. Know what? I grew up in the suburbs, Mr. Butler, and I had a pretty good time. If I want to hear about urban sprawl, I'll visit a zoning committee meeting sometime.
I wouldn't choose any of the albums I reviewed, with the Casio Kids exception, for consideration on this list. Each had merits, like Stornoway's release, which takes the prize for most upbeat, sunniest thing I've heard in years, and the harmonies are gorgeous. New releases by Corin Tucker and Kristin Hersh are always welcome, and solid albums, each. Their voices have both aged very well.
That's why these lists are best as starting points. Download, buy, beg borrow and steal everything you can stand, and appreciate how music is just as vital to humanity than ever.
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