So, yeah, the end of September is an odd time for a blog post about CD's from the first half of the year (I used a release date of June 30 as the cutoff), but screw it. Its my blog. Plus, I need to get this one done if I have any hope of doing second half of 2010 and year end review columns (I actually started writing this a few weeks ago, but didn't have time to finish it until now). One of these days I'll get into a rhythm and start cranking these out on a more regular basis (hopefully in October with my month-long horror movie fest)...
10.) The Roots – How I Got Over
The Roots continue to be the most unique and versatile hip-hop groups out there today. Simply the fact that they are a full, instrument-playing band would probably be enough to earn them that distinction. However, add in that they manage to be the house band on Jimmy Fallon's talk show without any loss of credibility or suffering any backlash, and also that they are not afraid to include a remake of a song by such completely un-hip-hop singers M. Ward, Conor Oberst, and Jim James (“Dear God 2.0”), a song that samples Joanna Newsom (“Right On”), and a song that features vocals by John Legend (“The Fire”) on the same album clinches it for them 10 times over.
9.) Wolf Parade - Expo 86
Wolf Parade is one of the several bands with which lead singer Spencer Krug has been involved (he's also front man for Sunset Rubdown and has been a member of Swan Lake, Frog Eyes, and Fifths of Seven - he's sort of a way lesser known, Canadian Jack White), with each band offering up a different type of sound. Wolf Parade plays a post-punk version of indie rock, calling back to the sounds of XTC and the Pixies from the 80s and early 90s. Expo 86 is their 3rd album, and they have yet to disappoint on any of them.
8.) Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Danger Mouse has come a long way from when he first burst on to the music scene. He started out with the most famous mash-up album of them all, The Grey Album ( a combination of Jay-Z's The Black Album and the Beatles "White" Album), which earned him the attention of The Beatles record company and more free publicity than which he could ever have hoped. From there, he either collaborated on, or produced, albums with such wide-ranging artists s Cee-Lo Green, Beck, The Gorillaz, the Rapture and Sparklehorse. Broken Bells is another collaboration, this time with James Mercer of The Shins, and the resulting music has a cool, experimental, spacey kind of sound. Danger Mouse continues to bring his unique vision together with the musical talents of others to make great music. And, they got Christina Hendricks from Mad Men to appear in their video!
7.) MGMT - Congratulations
MGMT made a huge splash on the scene with their second album, 2007's (or 2008's, depending if you are talking the digital or hard copy version) Oracular Spectacular. That disc steadily built both buzz and record sales until they eventually sold over a million copies and were at the top of the indie music world. For their follow-up effort, they decided against putting out another disc of like-sounding songs that would have pleased many of their new fans, but showed little attempt to grow artistically. Instead, they released a much more ambitious, less-pop sounding album which was met with mostly good reviews, but was still rewarded with a #2 ranking on the Billboard US charts. The sound on this disc is definitely a departure from the last release, but the songs are still solid (if not as catchy) and I always appreciate when a band refuses to rest on their laurels.
6.) The New Pornographers - Together
The New Pornographers continue to put out some of the best pop music out there that no one outside of the indie rock world ever hears. Their lineup of singers with three very diverse voices - Dan Bejar, Carl Newman and Neko Case - allows them to mix up their sound when one of them takes the lead and blend the 3 together on harmonies that given them a unique edge with which most power pop bands aren't able to compete. Together doesn't match up to the level of their previous releases, but it is still an enjoyable listen, perfect when you need a little pick me up.
5.) Spoon - Transference
Spoon follows up one of my favorite albums of 2007 (Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga) with one of their best efforts to date. Over the course of seven albums, Spoon has managed to improve and refine their sound with each attempt, which is something a lot of bands can't pull off over half as many discs. Plus, Transference contains which is probably my favorite Spoon songs, and also one of my favorite songs to come out in the last few years, "Got Nuffin".
4.) The National - High Violet
The National are another group that has managed to steadily improve its sound and popularity with each release. Starting with their 3rd release, 2005's Alligator, The National have been widely recognized as a great band by the indie rock world (both that album and it's follow up, 2007's Boxer were named on numerous "Album of the Decade" lists). However, with High Violet, they have finally started to get notice in wider circles - High Violet hit #3 on Billboard (it was a decent year all around for alternative releases on the charts). The droning, chamber pop vocals of lead singer Matt Berninger give The National one of the most unique sounds not only in indie rock, but in all of rock today.
3.) Beach House - Teen Dream
Beach House's sound is perfectly suited to their name. However, its not for the beach house of mid-summer, when its full of people, barbecues, swimming and laughter. Its for the beach house at the end of the season, after everyone has left and its up to you to close it up for winter. Their music is very dreamy and haunting - the kind you'd listen to to remind you of summers past, when you think about the way you want to remember how things were, but instead remember how things really were, before for you close everything up and start again anew the next year with a whole new set of memories....
2.) Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the Void
Blitzen Trapper started out with a folk rock sound on their initial release, moved to more of an alt-country sound on their next 2, and finally have settled (for now) on an experimental sound that is a hybrid of all their previous output. Its an eclectic mix where some songs are the most modern sounding music around, and some sound like they could have come from the late 60's ("The Tree" sounds particularly like an acoustic George Harrison Beatles tune).
1.) Yeasayer - Odd Blood
This is the second release from the experimental/psychedelic pop-rock trio. The songs on this CD definitely lean more towards a pop rather than a rock sound. They are incredibly catchy, merging psychedelic sounds from the 60's and 70's with the coolest electronic sounds from the clubs scene of today. Its definitely an album that would be a good soundtrack for any party.
A pretty solid start to the year in music. The releases from the 2nd half of the year have been just as good (look for a post on those in late November - I'll try not to have that one done as late as this one was).
(Also, I apologize for the ads before some of these videos. The site I used previously to embed songs is no longer around, so I had to resort to Youtube, and this is what happens...)
