MMX

Honestly, I don’t think 2010 was a terribly great year for music. Sure, there were some solid albums, but nothing earth-shatteringly awesome. I’m still at a loss as to what my #1 album of the year is (and will probably decide next year). Enough of the bummer stuff, though. I figured since most folks would post tunes from their top 10 albums, I’d do something a bit different. I compiled a list of songs I enjoyed (not necessarily the album, though) as well as tunes from albums I dug this year. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Happy to send the mix to you, too.

“Pull Me In” – the Graduate

Full disclosure – I helped market these guys. I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. The build here is epic and the lyrics are quite touching. Pretty good album too – think a mix of Jimmy Eat World and Owl City, but in a good way (not hating on Jimmy there, Ash!).

“All The Best” – My Morning Jacket

I’m a huge MMJ fanboy. Easily, my show of the year was them at Merriweather Post Pavilion. I drove 4 hours to see the show on an unbelievably warm day in May and it was worth the trek. The 6^th row amphitheater seats might’ve helped! Regardless, an amazing, amazing show and I can’t stress enough how much you need to see the Jacket live. I suspect you’ll get many opportunities in 2011 since they have a new album on the horizon. In the meantime, check out this wonderful song, which was part of a John Prine tribute album.

“The Wig He Made Her Wear” – Drive By Truckers

In my mind, the Truckers have never made a bad album. They’re probably one of the most consistently good bands out there (their live shows slay). While The Big To-Do wasn’t the breakthrough I thought they deserved, that’s not a comment on the music itself. The Truckers deliver another solid album’s worth of well-written characters and stories, bolstered by the band’s signature stew of Southern rock, folk, country and garage stomp. Far and away my favorite track on the album, “The Wig He Made Her Wear” showcases the Truckers’ talent for dark Southern sagas. Just an utterly amazing song.

“Father’s Son” – Fistful of Mercy

By and by, super groups suck. They sound great on paper, but the final product is usually underwhelming. Not so with Fistful of Mercy. The group is comprised of Ben Harper, cult hero Joseph Arthur and Dhani Harrison (George’s son). Perhaps the fact that it’s a fairly odd collection of musicians made this work. The mostly acoustic album As I Call You Down shows some strong collaboration between the trio. A very loose but engaging listen.

“Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing” – Preservation Hall Jazz Band, feat. Tom Waits

Never thought a jazz band would be a favorite record of mine, but stranger things have happened. The Preservation Hall in New Orleans, a bastion for jazz, was closed during Hurricane Katrina. In order to re-open, keep the venue going and educate future generations about the history of the genre, RED Distribution put out a killer benefit album. Needless to say, do the right thing and buy this album. Its chockfull of guests – Andrew Bird, Jim James, Ani DiFranco, Dr. John, Pete Seeger and many other big names. None bigger than the reclusive Tom Waits, however, whose rugged voice beautifully accentuates the Dixieland tune.

Since a Tom Waits show is about as rare as a dodo, I cheated a bit and posted a video of the band performing “Louisiana Fairytale” with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James.

“Pickin’ Up The Pieces” – Fitz and the Tantrums

A late entry into this list, I recently got into Fitz. Just a really fun listen, in the vein of throwback outfits like Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings or Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed & the True Loves.

“The Bike Song” – Mark Ronson feat. Kyle Falconer and Spank Rock

Say what you will about Ronson’s liberal use of guests in his albums, but at the very least, they always make for an interesting listen. None more so than on “The Bike Song,” which includes producer Spank Rock and Kyle Falconer from Brit band The View (check out their tune “Same Jeans,” one of my fave songs from the past few years). Try getting this slick song out of your head, I dare ya.

“We Got The System To Fight The System” – Maserati

If you dig !!!, you should like Maserati. Both bands offer an instrumental take on the post-punk genre, but Maserati has a slight psychedelic feel whereas !!! is much more dance-oriented. Sadly, the band’s drummer Jerry Fuchs passed away before the album Pyramid of the Sun came out (and he also played with !!! for a bit). Quite a shame, as he was quite a drummer and could have led Maserati to bigger things. Still, with songs this awesome, the group is poised for future success.

“Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind?” – Tame Impala

These guys have been included on a few mixes already, so I’ll keep it brief. If you’re looking for an album to bliss out to, you’d be wise to snag Innerspeaker. I was looking forward to the album and it did not disappoint.

“Don’t Break The Needle” – J. Roddy Walston & the Business

I’m at an utter loss as to explain this band’s sound properly. Something like “piano-fueled snotty garage rock” doesn’t really do it justice. Check out the vid, decide for yourself and if you dig it, check out the album. I’ve been a fan for a bit and am thrilled that Vagrant gave these guys a shot, as they deserve a day (or many more) in the sun. That chorus is killer!

“Someone’s Daughter” – the Whigs

Its been satisfying to watch the Whigs grow from a college garage rock group into a full-fledged rock powerhouse. Each album adds new elements to the band’s sound. While they’re not reinventing the wheel, the Whigs are coming into their own as songwriters. Drummer Julian Doro continues to be a beast behind the kit. The group has lucked out, becoming the perennial opener for Kings of Leon’s arena tours.

“Bottled Up In Cork” – Ted Leo/Pharmacists

Another act that has put out consistently good records is Ted Leo/Pharmacists. The streak continues with The Brutalist Bricks, their first for Matador. Insanely catch tune that was one of my most listened to this year. The real treat here, though, is the video, which is an amusing parody of the mediocre American Idiot Broadway play (bolstered by cameos from Paul F. Tompkins and John Hodgman). The shot of a lipsticked Leo is priceless.