For this blog I decided to write about the best new music of 2010. This year has been leaps and bounds better than 2009 and it looks like it will get better and better with releases from The Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, M.I.A, and Coldplay still to come. And now, in no particular order, my best new music list of 2010…so far. Enjoy!
Frightened Rabbit: Winter of Mixed Drinks. I first heard of Frightened Rabbit about a month ago when I was listening to my old college radio station, and since then I cannot stop listening to them. Frightened Rabbit mainly writes about relationships that have taken a wrong turn, relationships that are ending, or how a relationship can save an individual. The beauty is they take a totally different perspective on this old chestnut, and the music is fantastic. I cannot recommend this album enough. Please take the time and check this band out. You will not be disappointed.
Recommended Track: Nothing Like You.
Murder By Death: Good Morning Magpie. A couple of years ago, two of my really good friends introduced me to Murder By Death, and I have been hooked ever since. Very much inspired by Johnny Cash, and Tom Waits, Murder By Death tells you a story with every song they write. Topics sung about range from death, to meeting someone in the night, to why we need whiskey in the world, and the cello arrangements are amazing. This might be Murder By Death’s best album yet.
Recommended Track: King of the Gutters, Price of the Dogs.
Goriallz: Plastic Beach. Whether its reuniting with Blur, performing around the world, or his working with his other musical projects, its amazing that Damon Albarn found the time to write and record the next Goriallz album. But he did and it kicks ass. Plastic Beach has awesome beats, cool guest stars, and lyrics with a purpose. Albarn examines Western Consumer Culture and Green Technologies on Plastic Beach and it works.
Recommended Track: Rhinestone Eyes.
Johnny Cash: American VI: Ain’t No Grave. Is it the best Johnny Cash album? No, but it is the last new Johnny Cash album we will ever get, and that makes it worth listening to. The song selection Rick Rubin chose is a fitting tribute to the Man in Black. American VI is not an overly depressing album but it does have its somber moments. This album truly is an end of an era.
Recommended Track: Ain’t No Grave.
Minus the Bear: Omni. If you have been a fan of Minus the Bear since the beginning, there is a very good chance that you will not like this album, because Minus the Bear move into a different musical direction. But I beg you to give it a chance. It is incredible. Minus the Bear finds the right balances of jam band rock and experimental techno on Omni. If you have never heard of Minus the Bear, this is a great first album to check out, it is a brilliant piece of art.
Recommended Track: My Time
LCD Soundsystem: This is Happening. This album is already getting universal praise from music critics. And it deserves it. This is Happening is a brilliant pop dance album by James Murphy. Five years from now, you will still be listening to this album and still find enough little diddies to keep you interesting.
Recommended Track: Drunk Girls
Los Campesinos!: Romance is Boring. If you are looking for a fun, high energy Britpop, look no further than Romance is Boring. Los Campesinos! have been working at a fever pitch their entire career touring and writing, and they don’t miss a step here. (Romance is Boring is their third release in twenty months.) But don’t be fooled, Los Campesinos! definitely have something to say, whether its about relationships or why you do not want them as enemies, Romance is Boring is a complete album.
Recommended Track: We’ve Got Your Back. (Documented Emotional Breakdown #2)
The National: High Violet. Like LCD Soundsystem’s album, the new National is getting universal praise from music critics and it deserves it. High Violet deals with love lost, and loneliness, all set to very dark music. It’s epic, and it deals with subject matter that anyone can relate to. It’s a great album to listen to on headphones.
Recommended Track: Bloodbuzz Ohio.
Rogue Wave: Permalight. Long time fans of Rogue Wave will be in for a shock when they first listen to Permalight. The acoustic indie rock Rogue Wave is known for has been replaced with more electronic sounds. However lyrically, this is the most personal and deep album songwriter Zach Rogue has ever written. It’s the lyrics that you need to focus on with this album.
Recommended Track: Sleepwalker.
Dead Weather: Sea of Cowards. The best way to describe this album is straight up blues and rock n’ roll. It will get your foot tapping almost immediately. Sea of Cowards a far superior effort than there debut album, and should be a lot of fun to see performed live.
Recommended Track: Blue Blood Blues.
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