2010 is off to a bang, and my what a bang it is going to be when it's all said and done. In less than 90 days, I will be back in Tennessee with Boston in the rearview mirror. It's kind of sad, but not really. In truth, it's a relief and exciting to know that for the 1st time in 12 years I will be settled in one place with some permanence! For our cross country trek (Oregon Trail-style!), I couldn't think of a better soundtrack than what 2010 has already delivered. Can't wait to see what the rest of this year holds (IN EVERY ASPECT!).
Here are my favorite records for
the 1st Quarter of 2010:
(that I have PURCHASED)
the 1st Quarter of 2010:
(that I have PURCHASED)
Local Natives - Gorilla ManorI've already spoken ad-nauseum about this one. It's great. Enough said. It's the follow up that Fleet Foxes still hasn't released.
Download: Local Natives - "Sun Hands"
Harlem - HippiesThis AZ band via Austin is keeping my love of garage/retro rock alive. Their major indie debut on Matador is step up from their last outing, Free Drugs. Matador Records a stalwart of American Independent Labels is under the Beggars Group that also owns stake in Rough Trade, XL, 4AD, and the now defunct Beggars Banquet. All those labels are putting out some of the best music available right now. Harlem is the latest addition to a long list of legends in independent music.
Download: Harlem - "Gay Human Bones"
Surfer Blood - Astro CoastIs surf rock back? I think so. It is rising up along the same lines with the flower punk. Surfer Blood is NOT surf rock, though. It is something like a bastard child of the Pixies/Breeders with My Morning Jacket (don't attach too much to the MMJ reference - I say that only b/c the singer has vocals that are reverbed out the wazzoo - he is NO Jim James)
***THIS JUST IN*** - They are going on tour with Pains of Being Pure at Heart and will be coming to the Hi-Tone in Memphis and the Bottletree in the big, salty 'Ham. So you better get off your couch and check out what should be an amazing show. THERE!
Download: Surfer Blood - "Floating Vibes"
Spoon - TransferenceOne of my favorite bands is back for more with less. Scaling things back for a more raw/rough sound than 2007's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Transference is more along the lines of Gimme Fiction without going fully minimalist like Kill the Moonlight. (I still like Ga and Girls Can Tell the best!)
Download: Spoon - "Mystery Zone"
Vampire Weekend - CONTRASaw the ol' VW last week at the Orpheum. I feel like I've seen it all. It felt like your umpteenth Dave Matthews Band concert in High School. I fear the next time I see them will be like the one DMB concert I saw in college (snore........). Regardless, the show was excellent and fun. Contra is of the vein of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Little studio tricks are toyed with (autotune), but it is still Vampire Weekend plain and simple. Spring has arrived and I believe it is time to put on my boat shoes!
Download: Vampire Weekend - "Giving Up the Gun"
She & Him - Volume 2Zooey and M are back to sugarcoat your brains out! These little ditties are sappy as all get out, but they are good in their own simplicity. So, channel Phil Spector producing a Judy Garland/Patsy Cline duet album, put on your retro clothes (girls grab your favorite thrift store skirt and flats), prepare for a deadpan delivery and get lost in what sounds like music for a 70's Disney cartoon (Robin Hood, I'm looking at you....).
Download: She & Him - "In the Sun"
Let me tell you what let me down so far:
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
The Soft Pack
BOOO! You could do better!
There is plenty of awesome other music that came out that I really like but haven't gotten around to purchasing, yet:
The Morning Benders - Big Echo
Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
Los Campensinos - Romance is Boring
Beach House - Teen Dream
Happy Birthday - Happy Birthday
and on and on........
There is also a lot coming out soon to be fired up about:
MGMT
New Pornographers
The National
Avi Buffalo
and more!
It's gonna be a great year for us and for music!
2 comments:
lolz @ DMB comment
when i was in florence (AL) last Fall, the "barista" at a local coffee shop was playing Surfer Blood (Swim (to Reach the End)). She said they were awesome and about to blow up. good stuff.
thanks for the BT tip, i think i'll be there.
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