December 28, 2011
The 25 Albums of 2011

“The album is by far the most integral facet of the music industry. People throw out EPs, toss in singles, but albums really mean something. If it’s even halfway decent, it’s essentially then a collection of perfected thoughts, emotions, and creations that are meant to be consumed, examined, and experienced.” ~ Consequence of Sound

There’s nothing better than discovering a great album. Studying the cover artwork, reading the tracklisting and wondering what it all sounds like. Then finally listening to every song flow into the next and hearing things that excite you, surprise you and give you reasons to come back again and again.

So here they are, my picks for the best 25 albums of the year that make music worth listening to. Listen, discover and enjoy.

Paul Larez

December 28, 2011


25. Active Child - You Are All I See

Combine a harp player, trance inducing synths and haunting vocals and this is what you get. The debut album from Active Child sure to make you weak in the knees and in the heart.

Listen to: “Hanging On”

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24. Destroyer - Kaputt

This is soft rock with less talk. Or at least soft rock with soft talk and a good helping of saxophone thrown in to keep the vibe nice and smooth, just the way we like it.

  Listen to: “Chinatown”

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23. James Blake - James Blake

Ok maybe his best song is a cover of Feist, but I predict a very good start for this English gentleman with a pension for sparse electronic compositions and blues influenced swagger. You haven’t heard electronica like this until you’ve heard what Blake can do with those dials.

Listen to: “Limit To Your Love”

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 22. Grouplove - Never Trust A Happy Song

You almost don’t want to like this indie pop outfit because they’re just so darn happy. But they don’t get their name for being mean, this group is full of love and catchy tunes to spare.

Listen to: “Tongue Tied”

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21. The Milk Carton Kids - Prologue

There really isn’t much to say about about the gorgeous harmonies and Americana tunes these Kids cook up. The only thing I can say is- get ready to cry, because these songs are heartbreakingly beautiful.

(Download the entire album free HERE)

Listen to: “Michigan”

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  20. The Strokes - Angles

It’s a “return to form” or whatever for The Strokes after a brief hiatus, and you’ll be glad they’re back. They haven’t sounded this excited about making music since 2001’s Is This It. Good for them and good for us.

Listen to: “Under Cover of Darkness”

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19. Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys

After the drab Narrow Stairs, it’s nice that Ben Gibbard is feeling swell about life again, if only for a moment. Enjoy this sampling of their most upbeat work to date before Ben drops the inevitable post-Zooey breakup album.

Listen to: “Stay Young, Go Dancing”

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  18. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow

 ”Won’t do me no good washin’ in the river, ain’t no preacher man gonna save my soul.” The songs here are simple enough in idea, but much more deadly in execution. It’s as if Johnny Cash and June Carter came back as Bonnie and Clyde.

Listen to: “Barton Hollow”

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17. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

There’s something oddly hypnotic about the seizured-synth textures and fuzz guitar rhythms of Strange Mercy. Add Annie Clarke’s fairy-godmother vocals to the mix and what you get is St. Vincent’s newest and most eclectic album yet.

Listen to: “Cruel”

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  16. The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart

There are already too many of these little folky groups around (I’m looking at you Edward Sharpe). Luckily, Seattle-group The Head and the Heart are the real deal. Folk-inspired tunes pave the way for heartfelt lyrics, inspired melodies and lots and lots of harmonizing.

Listen to: “Rivers and Roads”

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15. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

“Nothing’s gonna get any better if you don’t have a little hope. If you don’t have a little love in your soul.” True words from a band whose most popular new single is entitled “Vomit.” Girls newest album is full of lovely surprises and slow burning gems that build into wild jams.

Listen to: the 8-minute “Forgiveness”

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 14. Release the Sunbird - Come Back To Us

Zach Rogue’s hiatus is the best thing that could have happened to indie-pop band Rogue Wave. His newest project, Release the Sunbird, is Rouge at his very best- finely crafted acoustic pop. Add a very lovely female counterpart on backup vocals, and you have some of the best music since his 2003 debut Out of the Shadow.

Listen to: “Always Like the Son”

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13. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Boys just want to have fun. Especially boys like Chris Martin, whose bittersweet piano ballads have become an entire genre unto themselves. So don’t blame them for wanting to break from their own brand of slow heartbreak and explore some new musical territory. With songs like “Paradise,” you should be thanking them.

Listen to: “Paradise”

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 12. Wilco - The Whole Love

Who knew Wilco could rock? I mean sure, they’re called Alt-Rock or Dad-Rock or whatever other kind of name you can make up. But The Whole Love doesn’t waste any time showing you how much Wilco is capable of as a band, nor does Jeff Tweedy as a songwriter. They could have easily called this album The Whole Wilco, because thats what it is- one of the best bands making music today, making their best music. 

Listen to: “Art of Almost”

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11. The Kills - Blood Pressures

This duo is the last of a dying breed of true rock stars: they do what they want, wear lots of black leather, and make music that goes for the throat. Mosshart is back with her original beau Jamie Hince after moonlighting with Jack White in The Dead Weather. Together again as The Kills, Mosshart and Hince sound completely in their element on this album, as she croons and he wrestles his axe to pump out a perfect soundtrack of fuzzed out blues and delay soaked mania. 

Listen To: “Satellite”

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 10. Plan B - The Defamation of Strickland Banks

The album concept is simple enough- Strickland Banks is everyone’s favorite lounge singer, until his celebrity lifestyle is taken away and he’s thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The real star here is British rapper/singer Benjamin Paul Ballance-Drew (aka Plan B), who is a double threat- switching back and forth between singing the Smokey Robinson R&B style tunes to rapping the storyline, many times in the same song.

It shouldn’t work but it does, and really well. Each song is a showcase for multiple instruments and styles, backup singers and raw emotions. The story gets a little muddled toward the end of the album, but it really doesn’t matter, because Plan B and Strickland Banks have already done what they do best- entertain.

Watch: “Stay Too Long” from The Defamation of Strickland Banks

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 9. Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines

Every musician knows the pressures of releasing a sophomore album and worrying that it will fall short of your first. Fortunately, Michael Benjamin Lerner (aka Telekinesis) did his homework. Where his self titled debut was high on power chords and big hooks, his newest album is not only more of the same, but stronger in every sense. The drum hits are devastatingly in-your-face, the production is more elaborate, and the songs are power-pop lightning in a bottle.

Most tracks are barely 2 or 3 minutes, but thats all it takes for Lerner to lay down a sweet bass line and go nuts with it. You’ve barely caught your breath before another snare drum hits you like a tidal wave, one after another. Telekinesis had help from Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) and they recorded to analogue tape to retain that grainy rock DIY sound that served them so well on the last outing. Walla and Lerner know how to make great albums, and have fun along the way.

Watch: “Please Ask For Help” from 12 Desperate Straight Lines

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 8. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

After the cabin in the woods mythology surrounding Bon Iver’s debut album For Emma, Forever Ago, all eyes were on Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon to see what the man would do next. Would it be For Emma Pt. 2? Would Kanye be on his album? Would we finally be able to understand what he’s singing?

Instead, Vernon went in a completely new and incredibly experimental direction, creating soundscapes and vistas of fingerpicked guitar, hushed electric feedback and more of his trademark falsetto. The whole thing turns into one of the most hauntingly beautiful albums of the year. It may alienate some, but to those who sit back and take it in, Bon Iver is a wonderful treat for the ears.

Watch: ”Holocene” from Bon Iver

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 7. Washed Out - Within and Without

What is chillwave? Is it a genre or a state of mind? Is it a style or just another passing fad? To me, Washed Out’s first proper album is just really good music, plain and simple. Ernest Greene is the heart and soul of this dreamy shoegaze, imparting enough soul and emotion to take his electronic melodies to greater heights than anything before.

Tracks like album opener “Eyes Be Closed” and single “Amor Fati” take Greene’s production from the bedroom to one of music’s most exciting new acts. Labels aside, this is the kind of music to get lost in.

Watch: “Amor Fati” from Within and Without


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 6. The Black Keys - El Camino

Now don’t get me wrong, I thought The Keys last effort, Brothers, was a great blues album. Having said that, the duo knock it out of the park this time around with the gritty El Camino. This is the album I knew Auerbach and Carney were capable of last time: catchy, soul-filled blues rock that doesn’t waste a single note.

Producer Danger Mouse and the Keys have tapped into the spirit of a rock album with sizzling guitar solos, sing-along choruses and giant hooks that never let up. Some may despise the more commercial direction on El Camino and long for their older sounds. But after watching Dan Auerbach go to work on that axe, it’s hard to imagine listening to anything else.

Watch: “Gold On The Ceiling” from El Camino


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 5. The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

This Welsh trio was one of my favorite discoveries of 2011. Fearlessly led by pint-sized frontwoman Ritzy Bryan, this band’s raw energy and 90s post-grunge sound is a refreshing change of pace in the current landscape of music. With only one guitar, bass and drums, they create a wall-of-sound that feels much bigger and more epic than anything dominating the airwaves right now.

The Big Roar lives up to its name, as the album is ripe with build ups and breakdowns, at times played with breakneck ferocity and precision. The group even impressed Dave Grohl, who recently asked them to open for the Foo Fighters on tour. Still, even more impressive is how so much noise can come from a little blonde girl in a black and white dress.

Watch: “Whirring” from The Big Roar

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 4. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Was it sophomore slump or comeback of the year for the scruffy boys of harmony from Seattle? Thankfully for everyone it was the latter. After countless delays, multiple re-recordings and uncertainty plaguing the production, Fleet Foxes have released one of the most satisfying follow ups in recent memory.

Frontman Robin Pecknold again provides a wistful performance, supplying his trademark sun-dreched vocals soaked in reverb while the rest of the gang backs him up with the harmonies reminiscent of pioneering acts like The Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The openness and sweeping portraits that embodied their self-titled debut are still found in the music, but the lyrics have become much more introspective and personal this time around, creating a new sense of intimacy within each listen. It all adds up to make Helplessness Blues the turning point of their very young career. I guess now the only thing left to ask is- Who needs a comeback when you were always on top?

Watch: “Grown Ocean” from Helplessness Blues

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 3. Foster the People - Torches

Even though all the attention went to Adele, this year belonged to newcomers Foster the People. Their breakout single “Pumped Up Kicks” was in every grocery store and TV commerical, and adored by indie dance kids and soccer moms alike. There was simply no escaping that trademark thumping bassline with undeniably the catchiest chorus of the year to deal with a school shooting.

After the runaway success of their first single and the band’s rapid ascension to the spotlight, I became very uneasy. I mean, how could they re-create that magic on an entire albums worth of songs, with each one being an endlessly enjoyable piece of dance-pop perfection? Well they did it. And then some. Never ones to turn into a one-hit wonder, Torches is chock full of instantly singable and danceable tracks that begs to be put on repeat. Every song is a winner. Mark Foster and Co. are solid musicians who may also have one of the most energetic live shows around, and once you listen to something other than “Pumped Up Kicks,” you’ll know why we love them so much.

Watch: “Call It What You Want” from Torches

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 2. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

The Colour and the Shape. There Is Nothing Left To Lose. One By One. In Your Honor. Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace.

Now add Wasting Light to that list of albums and call it the best thing they’ve ever done, because that’s what it is. For anyone familiar with the Foo Fighters, that’s a big claim considering they’ve won more Grammy’s than any other rock band of the last 20 years. Even better than that is how truly perfect this album is in every way.

Dave Grohl (of Nirvana fame) took a different approach for the making of this album, recording it in his garage using techniques from the 90s which meant absolutely nothing digital. He even sat down and crafted each song to flow into the next, starting with the explosive opening track “Bridges Burning,” while balancing sounds along the way until the polarizing finale “Walk”. In between is 11 tracks of the some of the most fiercely anthemic rock music of the year, proof for all the dubstepers and wannabe DJs that rock music isn’t going anywhere, not as long as they have something to say about it. And trust me, Grohl has plenty to say, penning some of the most emotional and heartfelt lyrics of his career on this album.

Grohl faces all of his demons here, and makes the best rock album of the year. I must confess I listened to this album 3 times in a row when it first was released. It’s vintage Foos, and not since 1997’s The Colour and the Shape have they assembled such an important album. Raw, head-banging, face-melting, uncompromising, passionate, and arena-ready- it’s just good old fashioned rock and roll.

Watch: “Walk” from Wasting Light

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and the Number One album is…

1. M83 - Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

This isn’t an album, it’s an experience. As with any piece of art, no two people will experience this in the same way, and some may not appreciate the experience at all.

That being said, this is the best album of the year. Not just for the music, the intricate structure, or the fact that it took 3 years to complete, but more for the fact that everyone will find something uniquely different to connect to, to explore and to interpret.

If I still have your attention, then you might find it helpful to know that Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming is actually a double album, with two separate records combining to create one cohesive journey. Each record contains 11 tracks that add up to over an hour and a half of sights and sounds that you have never heard before, and are never likely to hear again. Some have words, others only voices. Some simply color with mood and emotion, providing necessary instrumental breaks that serve to progress the journey.

French musician Anthony Gonzales (M83) has masterfully created a fully immersive world in Dreaming, choosing to focus on the nature of our own dreams and regrets, and how we see ourselves reflected in them. For Gonzales, everything that came before was a mere prelude to the star-crossed symphonies, otherworldly transmissions and lush daydreaming of his latest effort.

I hesitate to say any more about this album because the less expectations you have going in, the better the experience. So don’t waste another moment without this album in your life.

This is the essential M83, look no further.

Happy dreaming.

Watch: ”Midnight City” from Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

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“It’s not goodbye my only friend, yesterday started over again.”

2:11am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Zv-7JyDusbwf
(Notes: 1)
  
February 25, 2011
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

*Listen To “Rope” by Foo Fighters

After drumming around town with Them Crooked Vultures, Dave Grohl and the Foos are back with a fresh cut from their upcoming new album Wasting Light. The new album was recorded on analog tape in Grohl’s garage by Nirvana producer Butch Vig, and they describe it as their “heaviest album yet”. The first single “Rope” is a new sound for the band, with very subdued verses from Grohl (usually he’s scream-singing) but a soaring chorus reminiscent of the “Learn To Fly” days. It’s the second half that seals the deal however, complete with a drum breakdown and a melting G’nR era Slash-style guitar solo. It’s vintage Foos for the modern man.

(Wasting Light comes out April 14th)

-PL

2:13pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Zv-7Jy3HCbY9
January 7, 2011
That’s What I’m Here For.

Think about me the next time you

Hear the rumbling murmur of the waves. 

And if they tell you that you’ve only

Brought me pain, don’t worry about it.

That’s what I’m here for.

The sea doesn’t understand time’s current,

Which draws us closer and pushes us apart.

Here’s to high tides and to the lows,

But especially to the difference!

That’s what I’m here for.

Let the boat sink. Part with your ways.

Let yourself go and don’t be afraid.

Men are bastards, but maybe not all of them.

Fill up your glass and here’s to us!

That’s what I’m here for. 

12:09am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Zv-7Jy2T2VXA
January 2, 2011
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

You Should Be Listening To…

The Joy Formidable

I predict 2011 will be a big year for this UK indie rock act. Their debut album isn’t even out yet, and already this 3-piece has gained fans with their high energy and grunge-heavy tunes. Led by innocent looking frontwoman/guitarist Ritzy Bryan, TJF is some of the best rock music I’ve heard in awhile. Seriously. This girl rocks. So turn off Florence + The Machine for a second and check out a cut from the band’s EP A Balloon Called Moaning, and be on the lookout for their full length to drop on January 24th. - PAL

*Listen to “Cradle” from A Balloon Called Moaning.

9:40pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Zv-7Jy2PfDwc
December 21, 2010
The 25 Albums of 2010

Here we are friends, the end of the year and so much good music was had. In case you missed any of these amazing albums, this list will guide you to some of my favorite music of the past twelve months. Merry Christmas! - <3 Paul.

25. Superchunk, Majesty Shredding

\\If you grew up on The Get Up Kids, Blink-182 or pop punk music in general, Superchunk is the band that started it all. Their first album in nearly a decade feels like the 90s never ended- crunchy guitars, infectious hooks and sing along choruses galore.//

24. Mark Ronson and the Business Intl., Record Collection

\\I’m not going lie to you, I only sought out this English DJ’s newest album for his cover art, in all it’s glorious retro 80s-ness. But his taste fashion is just as eclectic as his taste in music- with major cameos by Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet), Boy George and Ghostface Killah, Record Collection makes for one fun album.//

23. The Radio Dept., Clinging To A Scheme

\\This is a new band to my repertoire, but they made a good impression with their groove-filled track “Heaven’s On Fire” earlier this year. The album itself is a little more relaxed than the upbeat single, but it’s definitely worth a listen.//

22. Best Coast, Crazy For You

\\Best Coast has been on the tip of everyone’s tounge, receiving alot of press in all the industry mags, and honestly I didn’t get it until I saw them play live with Weezer. Front-woman Bethany Constantino is the new Jenny Lewis, but if she surfed alot and sang duets with Brian Wilson instead of Ben Gibbard.//

21. Stars, The Five Ghosts

\\The album cover is a little creepy, it’s true. But the music from indie veterans Stars is just as haunting and beautiful as you’d expect. The major selling point is the moments when Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell’s voices are singing in unison, as if from beyond the grave.//

20. Brandon Flowers, Flamingo

\\Like the city he loves, Las Vegas native Brandon Flowers was all about the flash, showmanship and energy of his band The Killers up until now. In his solo album debut, he channels that raw passion into dreamy pop ballads that highlight his unique voice and talent for songwriting. Oh yeah, and 80’s synths.//

19. Sufjan Stevens, The Age Of Adz

\\Sufjan is sad. Well, more than normal I guess. Because this time around he’s not interpreting others personal tragedy into folk song, he’s exposing his own personal failures quite openly. The first track gives no indication of the direction this album sharply turns into by the second song, amid whirls and pops of frantic electronic drums. Either you love him or you don’t. This album is much the same.//

18. LCD Soundsystem, This Is Happening


\\This may be the last goodbye for LCD Soundsystem and James Murphy, and what a time they had. Going out on top is the statement here, and This Is Happening does just that. It’s dance music for people who don’t like dance music. Thankfully, it satisfies both.//

17. Beach House, Teen Dream

\\All year I’ve heard nothing but great things about this album, and when I finally listened to it, I wasn’t impressed to say the least. But being the idealist that I am, I gave it another chance, and Teen Dream eventually won me over for its experimental blend of shoegaze and ethereal pop. The dreamy melodies will get in your head and set up camp there for good, like Vampire Weekend on sedatives.//

16. The Dead Weather, Sea Of Cowards

\\Jack White could play the spoons for an hour and I would still buy that album. Having said that, I’m a little sad he’s not killing it on his trusty axe that he’s usually so fond of in his other projects. But any White paired with The Kills frontwoman Alison Mosshart is good enough for me. At times I can’t even tell which one is singing, because they are basically the same person in terms of their raw energy and high pitched wailing. That’s a good thing.//

15. Wolf Parade, Expo 86

\\”I was asleep in a hammock / I was dreaming that I was a web / I was a dream-catcher hanging in the window of a minivan parked along waters edge / I’d say that I was all alone / But I’ll never be born as a scorpion.” Yes, it makes no sense. Much like the babble and style of Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse, but damn is it catchy when you hear it. And the music is nice too.//

14. Matt & Kim, Sidewalks

\\Matt & Kim always had a pension for sweet hooks and fun times, and their latest brings plenty of both. Building on the duo’s trademark edge and punk roots, Sidewalks adds more production and beats this time around, and explores a more melodic side for the two. Kim has never been better behind the kit, and Matt destroys with his always playful keys and words.//

13. Spoon, Transference

\\With each album, Spoon gets closer and closer to finding just what makes them happy, and with this year’s Transference, it showcases a band who revels in creating a unique sound, singing a line, and marrying their many possibilities. However they’ve never been so melodic or accessible as they are here. They’re pushing the boundaries no doubt, but to them its just good music.//

12. Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More

\\It’s been a quite a year for these English boys, who took the country by storm with their brand of folk that’s better than most American folk artists. I’m happy that talented musicians like these are getting airplay and selling out shows, because that’s the way it should be. If you haven’t heard what everyone else seems to be listening to (including Jake Gyllenhall), now is your chance.//

11. The Black Keys, Brothers

\\With Mr. White having an identity crisis by playing drums for The Dead Weather, someone needed to step up and save the blues. Enter The Black Keys. They’re by no means new to the music arena, but The Keys are finally getting some proper attention. Dan Auerbach and his drumming compadre take their raw unpolished sound and deliver their best album to date, especially on the Danger Mouse-produced single “Tighten Up”. Watch out Jack and Meg.//

10. Jenny and Johnny, I’m Having Fun Now

\\Best Coast may be new to the scene, but they’ve got nothing on Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley fame) and her beau, singer/songwriter Jonathan Rice. Seperately, Lewis and Rice are very different musicians, the first more indie pop and the latter more slow and introspective. Together Jenny and Johnny are a powerhouse songwriting couple that writes all kinds music, mostly upbeat surf pop tunes, but there are some haunting tracks that seem to be more Rice’s influence (“While Men Are Dreaming”, “Animal”). If Jenny and Johnny had met in elementary school, they would totally beat up M. Ward/Zooey D’s She & Him and steal their lunch money. Yeah, don’t mess with them.//

9. Miniature Tigers, Fortress

\\If you like music, you need to know Miniature Tigers. Their 2008 debut Tell It To The Volcano was about as good as music gets. One friend described it as if “The Beatles and The Beach Boys had a love child.” Throw in some Weezer moments and that sounds about right. But still the band goes in so many directions on their newest album that you can throw all those genres out the window. Really what it comes down to is razor-sharp rhythms, perfectly harmonized vocal arrangements and endless sing-along lyrics. Trust me, Fortress grabs you from the start and keeps you locked in a castle of pure musical enjoyment until well after the last song.//

8. Jimmy Eat World, Invented

\\They say the heart is hard to find. Now after two directionless albums, Jimmy Eat World has finally found it again. On Invented, they’ve recaptured that magic that made Bleed American their calling card: stadium-ready rock songs, blistering power ballads and punch-in-the-gut lyrics. “Coffee and Cigarettes” is classic sing-along Jimmy, and the title track “Invented” is the band at its very best. Forget the hit and miss singles of the past, this is the album you’ve been waiting for.//

7. The Tallest Man On Earth, The Wild Hunt

\\Of all the wanna-be new Bob Dylan’s out there (Yeah, I’m looking at you Jakob Dylan), Kristian Matsson (aka The Tallest Man On Earth) is the only one that comes close. His raspy vocal style and “like a rolling stone” guitar playing have earned him a place among music’s best up and coming artists. Among the introspective folkies, Matsson is a live wire, projecting his voice and playing fearlessly to hypnotized crowds. His second album, The Wild Hunt, cuts out all the riff raff that sometimes plagues modern music. Here, the Tallest Man is free to do what he does best, sing his carefully and brilliantly penned words backed only by his guitar. No percussion, no harmonies, no nonsense. It’s fitting for his type of music, because once you hear the man, you’ll understand why everything else is just a distraction.//

6. Sleigh Bells, Treats

\\Don’t let the name deceive you, this is not holiday music. But it is colorful. And fun. And totally abrasive, if not deafening. It’s the brainchild of failed teen pop-singer Alexis Krauss and ex-hardcore guitarist Derek Miller (Poison The Well), and yeah, they’re pretty pissed off. But they channel their frustration into some of the most confrontational electronic noise pop that will have your ears and speakers begging for mercy. Her sugary sweet turned hysterically shrieking vocals keep you on the edge, and his machine-gun programmed beats and wall-of-sound guitar layering will keep you coming back. Make no mistake, this is the future of music, like it or not.//

5. Band of Horses, Infinite Arms

\\Kings of…? My Morning…huh? This is your new favorite rock band. Band of Horses has crafted a killer album in Infinite Arms, taking all the best of their favorite influences and crafting something so totally satisfying, its almost unbelievable. From the opening strings of “Factory”, to the hushed musing of the title track, this album represents the immense growth the band has seen throughout their career. It’s a greatest hits album of sorts, but better. The vocals alone will give you goosebumps. So put this album on and just drive. Think about life, think about lost love, think about whatever. But whatever you do, look at the stars and smile.//

4. Vampire Weekend, Contra

\\Vampire Weekend doesn’t know the term “sophomore slump”. On Contra, the haters had nothing to say and the ascot preppies rejoiced. Things that made the first album such a hit remained, like dictionary-necessary wordplay and african beats, but added with a new layer of accessibility and electronic production. On paper it shouldn’t work, but it does, and very well. I must have listened to “Horchata” a least a hundred times when it was first released as a single, and the album stayed on repeat for a good while. The most noticeable change in the band’s progression comes not in the music but the overall delivery of the songs. For example, they aren’t trying to win you over anymore, because they’ve done that. Now, its all about showing you that they’re here to stay, and they do it with poise and confidence. Gone is the wise-ass smirk that singer Ezra Koeing seems to have had on their entire debut. In the final track, “I Think Ur A Contra”, he genuinely shows some heart. It’s a welcome change.//

3. Josh Ritter, So Runs The World Away

\\Josh Ritter knows me so well. Intricate fingerpicked acoustic guitar? Check. Heartbreaking confessions of life, death and faith? Yes sir. Lyrical historical references? Indeed. There’s so much to love here its not even fair. Having heard his name dropped so many times, when his latest was released, I hopped on NPR and started streaming this album. What happened next was the joy of pure discovery, much like the themes that run through So Runs The World Away. After a brief instrumental introduction, “Change of Time” started to play and that was it for me. I was hooked. It begins simple enough, and as Ritter sings in that song, “it tasted so familiar”. Then around a minute and half in, I lost it. It was like nothing I’d heard: so beautiful, haunting and hopeful all at the same time. That wonderful trifecta doesn’t fade throughout the entire album, and by the end you’re ready to take this journey all over again. Bravo, Mr. Ritter. You’ve earned a fan for life out of me.// 

2. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

\\This guy has had a rough year. But we’re here to talk about the music. I’m not ashamed, as a musician, I love Kanye West. He is one of the most underappreciated, talented and creative artists making music today. Whatever you think about his personal life, listen to this album and you will see how much of himself he has put into crafting song after song of groundbreaking music. Genre-defying, cameo-heavy and lyrically scathing, it’s everything and so much more. West only works with the best in the industry, from Jay-Z to John Legend, Kid Cudi to Bon Iver and even a little Rihanna. He demands perfection from everyone, including himself. I can respect that. He is a man driven by his fears, fueled by his emotions and prone to chasing artistry in all its forms. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is as close to creating a new art form in music as anyone has achieved thus far. The samplings are dead on, the guests are at the top of their game, and Kanye has never been so forthcoming about his insecurities. It’s unseen for such a well-known rapper to publicly declare his shortcomings. But that is exactly what makes Kanye’s Fantasy so brilliant. It’s real life.//

1. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs

\\It starts with a bang and ends with a whimper. This is life in The Suburbs, the riveting third studio album from Arcade Fire that at first listen seems underwhelming, even directionless. But with each listen, layers of meaning surface, and all your hopes and fears about the future are suddenly at the mercy of Win Butler and his ten-piece Canadian outfit. This album could have easily been about the American Dream, manicured lawns and all. But that would be too predictable for a band this talented. What Butler does instead is so much deeper and introspective, each song poised to change your mind about everything and nothing. Statements are made then dismissed, memories are recalled then quickly forgotten. Unlike their previous albums that made impossibly huge statements, this album is startling in it’s simplicity. For Arcade Fire this time around, it’s less about confrontation and more about keeping you in the palm of their hand. Certain lines get under your skin and stay there, like this one from the first half of the finale “Sprawl”: “Cops showin’ their lights / On the reflectors of our bikes / Said, ‘Do you kids know what time it is?’ / Well sir, it’s the first time I felt like something is mine / Like I have something to give.” This is the album of the year from the band of the year, and it couldn’t be more necessary or perfect.//

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November 11, 2010
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

You Should Be Listening To…

TELEKINESIS

(Merge Records)

If you like your pop sugary with a little kick and whole lot of heart, Michael Lerner has some songs for you. He is the brainchild behind Telekinesis, the Seattle band on Merge Records (Arcade Fire, Spoon, Superchunk), and during live shows acts as both drummer and singing frontman. The band’s self-titled debut Telekinesis!, produced by Death Cab’s Chris Walla, was one of the best albums of 2009 that no one heard. I first saw Telekinesis open for Nada Surf in May, and it was love at first power chord. Lerner is a talented songwriter, and among the power-pop madness, even has time to sing a few ballads. Their follow up is due out in February 2010, plenty of time for you to see what you’ve been missing. -PAL

*Listen: “Coast of Carolina” from Telekinesis! (2009)

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October 28, 2010
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

*Listen to “Coffee and Cigarettes” from the album Invented

Jimmy Eat World, Invented (Interscope Records)

We all remember those days. It was 2001, andBleed American was ruling the summer airwaves. Windows down, driving fast and blasting “A Praise Chorus” was about as good as it got back then. Fast forward to 2010 and two more albums later- Jimmy Eat World is still the go to band for rock anthems. But despite strong singles on both 2004’s Futures and 2007’s Chase This Light, both albums collapsed on themselves with a forgettable second half. It seemed like their best work had been done, and Jim Adkins and Co. were just going through the motions again for their latest record. Enter Invented. Not only is this the best songwriting they’ve done in years, it has the distinct honor to be considered their album best since Bleed American. Yeah. It’s that good. Deftly balancing the lighthearted and heavy-handed , the nostalgic with the bittersweet, Invented is the follow-up record that JEW fans have been waiting for. Every song does it’s part, and it looks like finally they’re back to doing what they do best- providing your soundtrack. (Rating 9.0)

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October 15, 2010
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

*Listen to “Vesuvius” from the new album The Age of Adz

Sufjan Stevens, The Age of Adz (October 12th on Asthmatic Kitty Records)

Illinoise and Michigan lovers be warned- This is not the Sufjan we’ve all grown to know and love. Still, that’s not a problem. Stevens new album is filled with apocolyptic imagery, schizophrenically electronic bleeps and claps, and heartbreaking personal failure. A far cry from the Americana storytelling of his previous albums, but much, much closer to the real Sufjan Stevens than we’ve ever seen before. Tracks like “Too Much”, “Vesuvius” and the 25-minute, album closer “Impossible Soul” show a defenseless Stevens trying to make sense of a recent loss amid a cacophony of swirling electronica and background singers. “I could have loved you, I could have changed you” he sings on the title track, finally confessing, “It’s only that I still love you deeply. It’s all the love I’ve got.” His most personal album in years, this is not Sufjan the icon- this is Sufjan the man. And we still love him. (8.0)


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October 11, 2010

As promised, here are The Ten Films I Couldn’t Live Without, along with ten things that make them great:

10. Dumb and Dumber (1995) - Jim Carrey. Vans Shaped Like Dogs. Big Gulps. Jeff Daniels. Blue and Orange Tuxedos. Dead Birds. Turbo Lax. Mini-Bike. 90s Soundtrack. Seabass.

9. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) - Gene Wilder x10.

8. Heavyweights (1995) - The Blob. Kenan Thompson. Tricked out Go-Karts. All Night Junk-Food Party. Lars. Death Hikes. Tony Perkis. Exploiting Fat Kids. Ben Stiller’s Parents. The fact that Disney made this.

7. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992) - The Plaza Hotel. Christmas Songs. Written by John Hughes. Shopping Spree in New York. “Two Scoops? Make It Three. I’m Not Drivin’.” The Talkboy Cassette Recorder. Tim Curry. The Sticky Bandits. Pigeon Lady. Ally Sheedy in cameo.

6. Donnie Darko (2001) - Time Travel. Dark Humor. Tears For Fears Soundtrack. Jake Gyllenhall. Back to the Future references. Patrick Swazye. 80s References. A young Seth Rogan. Frank. Skeleton Costumes.

5. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) - Gambling. Las Vegas. Retro 60s. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. Casino Heist. Bellagio. Brad Pitt. EMPs. Matt Damon. Basher.

4. Se7en (1995) - Seven Deadly Sins. Brad Pitt. Morgan Freeman. “What’s in the Box?!?” Catholicism. Social Commentary. Directed by David Fincher. John Doe. Cliff Notes. Unsettling.

3. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) - 1961 Ferrari GT California. Matthew Broderick. 80s Movie. Coked out Charlie Sheen. Ditching Class. Downtown Chicago. Written and Directed By John Hughes. “Ferris Bueller you’re my hero.” Art Museums. Sneaky Valets.

2. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) - Killer Robots. Explosions. T-1000. Motorcycle Chases. Time Travel. Arnold Schwarzenegger with a Shotgun. Helicopter Chases. Dark Humor. Directed by James Cameron. (Still Not Convinced?)

1. Back To The Future (1985) - DeLorean Time Machine. 80s Movie. Michael J. Fox. Time Travel. Skateboard Chase. Johnny B. Goode. 50s Nostalgia. Doc Brown. “Who the hell is John F. Kennedy?” Huey Lewis.

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(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: movies 
October 10, 2010

In honor of today being the holy Tens (10/10/10), I’ve decided to compile a list of The Top Ten Albums I Couldn’t Live Without. Here they are:

10. Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears (1985)

9. Parachutes by Coldplay (2000)

8. Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lake State by Sufjan Stevens (2003)

7. Cities by Anberlin (2007)

6. Chutues Too Narrow by The Shins (2004)

5. Transatlanticism by Death Cab For Cutie (2003)

4. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel (1970)

3. Elephant by The White Stripes (2003)

2. Let Go by Nada Surf (2003)

1. Twentysomthing by Jamie Cullum (2004)

What are yours?

Stay tuned tomorrow for the Top Ten Films I couldn’t live without. I bet you can’t guess what my #1 is….

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Filed under: 10 Favorite Albums music 
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