Melissa's Top 12 Albums of 2010

Like most music nerds, I spent a lot of time on this list and I'm still not quite sure if it's perfect. Back in November, I started compiling all the 2010 releases I have into a playlist and have been deleting songs to narrow my selection. That playlist still has 1,598 songs, which is 4.3 days/11.10 GB of music. Surprisingly, I was able to narrow that down to a top 41 list.

Here's my December Multitracking submission, I'll include my tentative top 20 albums at the end for those who are curious.
This mix is in descending order, song #12 is from my favorite album, which I have yet to see in anybody's top ten.

1. Wavves- Post Acid

It took me awhile to get into Wavves, and I'm not gonna lie, my Best Coast kick had a lot to do with it. If this is the next wave of pop punk, I'm a happy camper.

2. Surfer Blood- Swim

Yeah, yeah, more happy beach music. I can't wait to hear Surfer Blood's sophomore album.

3. The Morning Benders- Hand me Downs

I truthfully think this is one of the most underrated bands out there. This is from their second album, Big Echo, which is absolutely gorgeous music.

4. Yeasayer- O.N.E.

As a huge Yeasayer fan, I'm still not quite sure how I feel about Odd Blood. There's some great songs on it, but I still prefer All Hour Cymbals, because it has a completely different sound. Here's to musical variety and really interesting music videos.

5. Crystal Castles- Celestica

I wish I would have heard this album earlier in 2010 because it's quite excellent electronica. I've been listening to it nonstop since I picked it up a few weeks ago.

6. Caribou- Odessa

Swim was the first Caribou album I actually listened to and I love it. I know it's a bit different than Snaith's older material, but it's not a bad way to be introduced to the band.

7. Vampire Weekend- Giving up the Gun

I although I overkilled Contra a bit after it came out, I had to give it a high spot on this list because it is a solid album and does stand up against Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut.

8. Best Coast- When I'm With you

Crazy for you always puts me in a good mood, and come on, what's not to love about this pot smoking cat lady who's holding hands with Ronald McDonald and going to In-n-Out burger?

9. Arcade Fire- Rococo

When I first heard this album, I knew right away it was going to be in my top 5 albums of the year, if not the best album of the year. It's not that the other albums are necessarily better, they're just different, that's all. I love the Arcade Fire and probably always will. I'm glad they streamed their Madison Square Garden performance, it's the next best thing since they never seem to play in Phoenix!

10. Deerhunter- Don't Cry

Truth be told, all the albums in the top spots are more or less tied. I was really blown away by Halcyon Digest. Like Caribou, this was my first Deerhunter album. 2010 was a good year for musical introductions!

11. LCD Soundsystem- Dance Yrself Clean

This is a great growth album. When I first heard it, "Drunk Girls" and "Pow Pow" stood out. There's a reason I included the title track on this mix.

12. Sleigh Bells- Riot Rhythm

I feel like I'm bound to get some flack for this...but I've been absolutely hooked on Sleigh Bells since I first heard their demo. I love the mix of Alexis' mostly sweet and innocent vocals with Derek's aggressive guitar, all the while it's something you can dance to. As ridiculous as it sounds, "Crown on the Ground" is my ringtone.

My top 20 albums so far:
1. Sleigh Bells- Treats
2. LCD Soundsystem- This is Happening
3. Deerhunter- Halcyon Digest
4. Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
5. Best Coast- Crazy for you
6. Vampire Weekend- Contra
7. Caribou- Swim
8. Crystal Castles- s/t
9. Yeasayer- Odd Blood
10. The Morning Benders- Big Echo
11. Surfer Blood- Astrocoast
12. Wavves- King of the Beach
13. Miniature Tigers- Fortress
14. The Gaslight Anthem- American Slang
15. Girl Talk- All Day
16. Twin Shadow-Forget
17. Owen Pallett- Heartland
18. Of Montreal- False Priest
19. The National- High Violet
20. Tim Kasher- The Game of Monogamy

CD101: Soundtrack to My Life by Haley

When I was a sophomore in college, I was lucky enough to intern at my favorite local radio station, CD101. (Some of my earliest memories are of unloading hay with my dad {Oh heeeey, I’m from the country. Like… really, really country} while listening to CD101. “It actually sounds like an alternative station today!” I remember him shouting one time, when I was 10 or so.)

My internship was supposed to last for three months, but I fell in love and stayed there for a year. Some of my best college memories are from CD101… I’ll never forget the nights I feared for my life as rode home from promotions on the dash of the station’s delivery truck… because no matter which intern I was working with, they just happened to suffer from motion sickness, thereby automatically giving them privileges to the passenger seat... and seatbelt.

When I hear these songs, I automatically think of CD101 and the fantastic people I met there. I’m going back this Friday to volunteer at the station’s annual Andymanaton children's charity telethon, and although a lot of my favorite people are gone, I’m stoked to make some new memories.

1.) Used Kids by Earwig
Earwig is a local band, and I la-la-la-love them. You don’t generally hear them anywhere but CD101, and the band has a great relationship with the station. (The video actually shows a few clips from one of their CD101 “Big Room” performances… you’ll see the huge “101” backdrop.) For those unfamiliar, Used Kids is the name of a great local record store, and Ron House is its owner.



2.) Obvious by Watershed
Another local fave! Watershed actually had a recording contract with Epic for like five minutes in the 90s, and they’re also close with the station. I think this song is what I THOUGHT my college life would be like, but thankfully it wasn’t.
The years haven’t lessened my love of these lines:

“Back to your place after the bars close/ and I’m feeling strangely turned on at the sight of your dirty clothes. Critiquing your refrigerator magnet poetry/ Smelling the latest issue of Seventeen, wondering how this will read in your diary.”

3.) Cheated Hearts by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I can recall the exact moment I heard this song… I was sitting on the far intern computer, making captions for the Picture Pages, when the driving rhythm of the intro caught my ear. This song STILL gives me chills. Oh, Karen O.

4.) The Emperor’s New Clothes by Sinead O’Connor
Sinead O’Connor isn’t cool. I knew it. The DJs probably knew it. My favorite promotions assistant had to know that. Despite the knowledge, this song was a fixture of my time at the station. I remember speeding down 14th avenue on campus, going back to the station as the promotions asst. would ring the truck’s bell at passersby while singing into the cord.

5.) Bad Sun by the Bravery
The first place I heard the Bravery. That simple!

6.) Shout (Popple Mix) by De Novo Dahl
I never heard of De Novo Dahl after the spring they played the station’s annual CD101 Day concert, but I’ll never forget the Big Room performance I sat in on.. they band had these ridiculously awesome outfits that harkened back to the old country days…. But with a little more bling. Love!

7.) O Valencia by the Decemberists
I don’t think anyone ever used the Ice Cream Truck’s bell cord to sing this song, but they should’ve. Epic.

8.) Coin Operated Boy by the Dresden Dolls
I was a senior in high school when this song hit the airwaves, and I’m pretty sure it took me an unrespectable amount of time to get the message. Naiveté -- I miss it!

9.) Watching the Detectives by Elvis Costello
One of the CD101 songs from my youth… I got to Guest DJ for the station when I was 16, and this was one of the songs on my playlist. I can’t hear it without thinking of my dad singing his favorite line “She’s filing her nails as they’re dragging the lake.”

10.) No You Girls by Franz Ferdinand
This song came out quite a while after I left the station, but I still ran into the staff quite a bit. This song was HUGE on the station, and I remember the line “Flick your cigarette and kiss me” was really buzz-y at the time :)

11.) Only Happy When it Rains by Garbage
Everyone always seems to think I’m the nicest person ever…. They didn’t know my bitchy teenage years. This song kind of epitomizes that time frame.

12.) Glad Girls by Guided by Voices
Dayton, represent! Beautiful vocals. <3>

13.) The Bucket by Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon, please revert back to your sound from 2003. Thanks.

14.) We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed by Los Campesinos
I don’t know that this strikes me as a CD101 song, but it’s the first place I heard it.

15.) Starlight by Muse
The station had this amazing cabinet full of promo CDs, DVDs, and random junk, and it’s where I got my first taste of Muse. “Starlight” was my gateway. Muse has since grown into an obsession. Thanks for the freebies, Karac.

16.) Life on a Chain by Pete Yorn
Pete is a big fan of CD101, and they have a really good relationship. I interviewed him a while after I left the station, and I asked him about the 101… “There are some really good people at that station.”

Agreed, Pete.


(And not to be plug-gy, but if you're interested in listening to the station or checking out more about the Andymanathon children's charity telethon, visit CD101 online.)

Cheap Talk by Kathleen

I have recently discovered one of the most beautiful things in this city... The bargain bins at Amoeba music. I know, buying cd's is officially outdated and unnecessary, but $2 deals are really just too lovely to pass up.

The only issue with the bargain bins is that there are thousands of cd's with more or less no semblance of order. So my process for picking music basically just came down to searching through every section and picking anything that sounded familiar or looked pretty. I ended up buying an obscene amount of cd's that I had never listened to before. They've been on repeat ever since. To say I'm in love would be a tragic understatement.

This mix is made up of songs from these random cd's...And some free music I got from some weird kid from Chicago.

(Sorry for the quality of the videos...Most of them I could only find as live performances)



1. At the Bottom of Everything - Bright Eyes





2. A Town Called Obsolete - Andreya Triana





3. Little Girl - Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse Feat. Julian Casablancas





4. Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) - Kid Cudi





5. Mykonos (Barbaric Merits Remix) - Fleet Foxes





6. Brooklyn We Go Hard - Jay-Z & Santogold





7. Animals - Baths





8. Chicken Pox - I'm From Barcelona





9. Bed Space - Darwin Deez





10. Uniform Grey - Sarah Harmer





11. Walking - The Dodos





12. These Old Shoes - Deer Tick

The Year In Review, Sort Of.

I wanted to do something comprehensive for a year-end mix, but I didn't know where to go. For me, a good mix is most importantly about the unexpected synergy of a collection of songs, and every idea I came up with consisted of songs with well, too much in common about them (2010). Time to think about it a bit differently. For each month of the year, a thought-provoking song (or artists) using the name of that month... not necessarily a favorite, or even one that's familiar. However, it's interesting to thing about, in the context of their music, why the particular month was chosen - for its cultural connotations, for its etymology, for the rhythm of its pronunciation... so here is, The Year In Review, Sort Of.

1.) "January" - Ravens & Chimes: I love the blend of the delicate piano and bells with driving bass and drums. About 1:10 in sounds like January to me. And then when they sing about snow, it all comes together. A little known band, a little rough around the edges, but interesting nonetheless.

2.) "February Stars" - Foo Fighters: The first time I heard this track, I wondered what band Dave Grohl was singing with. Why sing about "February Stars" as "temporary scars"? Why not March or August? Perhaps because February is on the cusp of winter and spring... the temporary scars of the bitter cold fade in March, symbolically speaking.

3.) "Waters of March" - Sergio Mendes and Ledisi: I usually try to keep the aesthetic of a mix somewhat consistent, but this song is too damn catchy. What's intriguing is that Antonio Carlos Jobim, a Brazilian, originally wrote this song from a southern hemisphere perspective about the end of summer. The English, northern hemisphere is flipped around. And Ledisi is awesome.

4.) "Maintenant" - Rupa & The April Fishes: What's an April Fish? Google tells us it has its roots in an old April Fool's joke.

5.) "Marcha" - The May Fire

6.) "June" - Jered Tanner 4 President: Sounding like a less throaty Dave Matthews, self-proclaimed musical alchemist pines for a girl named June.

7.) "1000 Julys" - Third Eye Blind: Classic. Nothing is hotter than July... except 1000 of them. It sounds and feels like summer, in sharp contrast the lazy, flowery "June". Stephan Jenkins craft a song that equates love and sex with the hottest thing they can imagine.

8.) "Bullets" - Augustana

9.) "Oh! September" - Mirah: summer, tomatoes, sleeping on blankets, ukeleles, and romance. Oh, September indeed.

10.) "October is Eternal" - Of Montreal: definitely intriguing, somewhat disjointed, surprisingly musical, and worth a listen.

11.) "Mr. November" - The National: For some, November is nearly synonymous with politics. The National (hey! even their name ties in to politics) treats a Presidential candidate from the first person perspective - "I'm the new blue blood / I'm the great white hope /I'm the new blue blood / I won't fuck us over / I'm Mr. November / I won't fuck us over."

12.) "O Valencia" - The Decembrists: The Decembrist Revolt was an uprising against Nicolas I's assuming the throne in 1825 Russia. In December. Lead singer Colin Meloy says that he views it is an unrealized Communist revolution...

Ten For '10 - The Best Albums of the Year by Smashley

Every year, I over think this list. In fact, I just spent the last half hour over thinking what my intro to this list would be.  But you know what? This list is just a list, and I'm just one person who likes music. I think in the rush of everyone posting their respective Top 10's and the downright daunting nature of seeing the same albums in different orders over and over,  we take a lot of it for granted. While I don't expect everyone to agree with my choices, I know what these albums meant to me at the time I heard them this year. These are the ones that I looked forward to listening to, and became downright addicted to, from top to bottom. As excited as I am to share some of these jams, I'm extra geeked out that I get to compile it as part of this project. If I wasn't over thinking or geeking out about music like this, then I'd be worried, so this is probably a good sign for at least another year. 


In the spirit of not over thinking, I won't over speak about these albums either. Explanations will be in 140 characters or less . . . that's all our attention spans are good for, right? Exactly. (Thanks, Twitter) I've included videos to let the music speak for itself, as it should. That said, almost all of the videos are of live performances, because I'm a live music junkie. 


Normally I'd just list it 1-12, but in the spirit of the "what's at the top of the list?!" suspense, I'll go backwards . . . 

 BONUS TRACKS:

Since the requirement for this project is 12 songs per mix, it gives me the opportunity to mention a couple releases that by all means SHOULD be mentioned. However, they were on my Best of 2009 list since I acquired them originally back then, so it wouldn't be fair to include them in this year's, even though their respective albums were re-released in 2010. You see what mean by over thinking?

12) Mumford and Sons - "Dust Bowl Dance" [From Sigh No More]

140 characters or less: 

Stealthily got the UK import in 2009, but 2010 was truly the year of Mumford. Even with all the drivers in play, it's simply just GOOD MUSIC

11) Freelance Whales - "Generator : Second Floor" [from Weathervanes]

140 characters or less: 

Same album self released in '09, but boy how they've grown. They've finally earned their touring chops & have an awesome record to back it up

AND THE OFFICIAL LIST: 

10) Local Natives - "Airplanes" [from Gorilla Manor]

140 characters or less: 

This entire record is a harmonized, dreamy California gem, but it's the band's flawless live show that has earned them a spot on this list.

9) Jimmy Eat World "Evidence" [from Invented]

140 characters or less: 

This is my favorite band and always will be. Tip: 4:30 - 5:40 mark of the song "Invented" is my favorite stretch of music written all year.

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8) Broken Bells "The Mall and The Misery" [from Broken Bells]

140 characters or less: 

This challenged in me in that it is carried more musically & much less lyrically. The sonic atmosphere of this record opened me up to a lot.

7) ARMS - "Emily Sue Pt. 2" [From EP]

140 characters or less: 

This is a diamond in the rough illusion of "Brooklyn Music". This was a first listen, first love album & it's free here http://bit.ly/94wIEt

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6) Matt Pond PA "Remains" [from The Dark Leaves]

140 characters or less: 

One of my all-time favorite songwriters finally makes the most cohesive, complete and beautiful group of songs in his career. This is an album.

5) The Whisperlights "Meowing" [from Wake Up Dead]

140 characters or less: 

More proof that there is something special about Phoenix. This is such a smart record and shows a tremendous amount of potential for them


(Video below is of another great song on the album, since they don't have a live video of "Meowing". Both are serious jams.)

4) Bad Books "Holding Down the Laughter" [from Bad Books]

140 characters or less: 

Kevin Devine + Manchester Orchestra = musical bromance. Do I need to say more? I had super high expectations for this & they were ALL met.

3)What Laura Says "Lines and Colours" [from Bloom Cheek]

140 characters or less: 

Thrilled this record truly represents all the best parts of some of my fav people. Tremendous musicians & an album that keeps surprising me.

2) Sara Bareilles "Let the Rain" [from Kaleidoscope Heart]

140 characters or less: 

My favorite record lyrically, at a time when I needed these words most. It's rare that you can pin point an artist's impeccable growth

1) Mimicking Birds "Burning Stars" [from Mimicking Birds]

140 characters or less: 

This truly came as a surprise, but I haven't been this excited to listen to an album (over & over) in a long time. A real breath of fresh air

Top songs and honorable mentions will be going up later this week on my other blog, Seven Watt Media. Until then. . . 


-Smashley

From The Screen To Your Stereo

You can chalk up this mix to Russell Brand. Months after seeing his movie Get Him To The Greek, I’ve had many songs from the movie stuck in my head. “Furry Walls” is one of my favorite songs of the year. I don’t care that its from a fake band, its just a really great tune. With that in mind, I put together a mix comprised of fictitious artists from film and television (and stole the name of the mix from A New Found Glory EP). Hope you enjoy.

“Furry Walls” – Infant Sorrow

In a movie chock full of hilarious moments, Aldous Snow’s advice to “stroke a furry wall” to calm down Jonah Hill’s A&R guy is probably my favorite (I’d like to point out that it would be management’s responsibility to get the artist to a venue, not the label. I digress, though).

“Fever Dog” – Stillwater

From quite possibly the best music movie ever made, Almost Famous. Stillwater is the classic rock band that Will Miller befriends and subsequently follows around the country. Kudos to director Cameron Crowe for helping create this soundtrack, as Stillwater could easily sound right at home on your local classic rock station next to Skynyrd and Zeppelin.

“I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow” – the Soggy Bottom Boys

The Coen brothers always use music quite well in their films – this is just another great example (O Brother, Where Art Thou?). Album producer T-Bone Burnett won a Grammy for his work on the music for the film, and rightly so. Always funny to see George Clooney with his Clark Gable moustache in the movie.

“Let’s Get It On” – Barry Jive & the Uptown Five

If you don’t own (or can’t recite entire scenes of) High Fidelity, you should consider leaving this mixtape ring. Any music nerd worth their British import singles probably has considered themselves Rob Gordon at some point. No surprise this was Jack Black’s breakout role, as witnessed by his pretty faithful rendition of this Marvin Gaye staple.

“Try Again, Again” – Titannica

If you’ve never seen the genius that is television’s Mr. Show, do yourself a favor and check out the series ASAP. Easily one of the best sketch comedy shows of all time and light years better than SNL (also worth pointing out all the folks who went on to bigger things – David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Jack Black, Mary Lynn Raksjub, Sarah Silverman and Tom Kenney, the voice of Spongebob). While the show has some great musical moments, including a band with Maynard from Tool, Titannica’s ode to attempting suicide twice is some truly twisted comedy.

“Big Bottom” – Spinal Tap

I would be remiss if I didn’t include the Tap, probably the epitome of a fake band. Another Christopher Guest film will pop up later on this tape.

“Sugar Sugar” – the Archies

You can be as hip or cool as you like, but you have to admit this is a great pop song.

Fallin’ & Flyin’ – Bad Blake & Tommy Sweet

Better known as Jeff Bridges and Colin Farrell (both of whom did their own singing for this film, Crazy Heart). Yet another appearance from T-Bone Burnett who produced the soundtrack.

“Kiss At The End of the Rainbow” – Mitch & Mickey

Honestly, there are plenty of great songs in A Mighty Wind. I had to choose this one, though, as it’s a wonderful reconciliation for the characters Mitch and Mickey (the fantastic comedy duo of Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara). After the film was released, there was a very small concert tour for the film featuring all the actors. When Eugene and Catherine performed this song, they got a 5 minute standing ovation. Probably one of the best shows I witness (I also met Ryan Adams afterwards, but that’s another story).

“Let’s Duet” – Dewey Cox & Darlene Madison

I was disappointed that Walk Hard didn’t get its due. You’ve got an amazing lead actor (John C. Reilly), some great supporting comedic actors (Jane Lynch, Tim Meadows, Kristen Wiig, among many others) and some unbelievably funny cameo turns (Jack White as an unhinged Elvis Presley, the brilliant casting of the Beatles) all while exploring the various popular genres throughout the past 50 years of rock ‘n’ roll. Also, the folks behind Freaks & Geeks helped write, produce and direct this (as well as the aforementioned Get Him To The Greek). You’d be wise to check this film out, as the songs are very well written, and typical of anything Apatow-related, loaded with double entendres. If only Jenna Fischer would serenade me with dirty songs...

“Soul Man” – the Blues Brothers

Yes, the movie’s pretty dated at this point, but still worth checking out for all the musical cameos (ie Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles). The brothers’ backing band is comprised of some seasoned musical vets as well. It’s a shame that Belushi is no longer with us.

“Same In Any Language” – Ruckus

I’ve actually never seen Elizabethtown (been told its pretty disappointing). Still, it boasts not one but two soundtracks, thanks to music geek/director Cameron Crowe. All you need to know is that Ruckus is none other than the utterly amazing My Morning Jacket. Enough said.

Less To Miss by Ade

Hey guys, so this is my November mixxxx, I'm late I know. I'm so sorry! :/
Moving on; I've made quite a bit of mixtapes in the past, but I've got to say, this is quite possibly my favorite of all of them. I love every single song on this, and when I listen to each track they tend to stir up a bunch of emotions, but somehow I get a feeling of warmth and calm like no other. I hope whoever gets this, enjoys it as well.

Well, here we go.

1) Fleetwood Mac - Big Love: What is there to say about Fleetwood Mac that hasn't already been said. They're legendary, and their music is timeless and beautiful. Like almost everyone else that loves music, I've obsessed over "Rumours", it's an amazing record, but lately i'm beginning to really appreciate "Tango In the Night", especially this song. Lindsey's voice is superb on this, and the production is stunning. It's another example of Fleetwood Mac being ahead of their time.

2) Department of Eagles - Brightest Minds: I'll have to admit, I was late to the party with this band. I got into them about 2 years ago, long after I had fallen in love with Grizzly Bear. But, this band is different; Their harmonies are splendid, and their sound is mind-numbing.



3) Delta Spirit - Bushwick Blues: Ever since i stumbled upon their "Ode To Sunshine" LP in 2008, i've been obsessed over this band. Together with Dr. Dog, they've done an amazing job reviving "Americana folk". Matthew Vasquez voice is unmistakable, and you can always hear the sincerity and sometimes pain when he sings. They recently released a new ep called "The Waits Room", It contains some new tunes as well as different takes on some older tracks of theirs. It's amazing, I highly recommend getting into this band.



4) Deerhunter - Coronado: So this band was on my last mix, with a track from their new record, "Halcyon Digest", which this tune is also on. I was lucky enough to see them live a few months back, and I was blown away. They are super talented dudes, and Bradford Cox is such an inspiration. This new record is currently vying for my favorite album of 2010, and rightfully so. It's nothing short of amazing.



5) Paul Simon - I Do It For Your Love: I recently scored "Still Crazy After All These Years" on Vinyl, and I'm in love. I've always had the mp3 version of it, and I've listened to it multiple times. But nothing beats the feeling of listening to a beautiful record such as this, while sitting alone in the dark. It stirs up feelings you could never imagine. It's unbelievable and it's the reason why I love Paul Simon. This remains my favorite track from the record.



6) Nada Surf - I Like What You Say: Love this band. love this tune. that is all.



7) Vetiver - More of This: Well, here's a band i fell in love with hard and fast (that's what she said), but seriously, these guys rock. their music is folk inspired with a little tinge of pop goodness. It also helps that they've found a unique way to differentiate themselves from the over-saturated indie-pop bands out there. Their music, and the melodies are just so sweet.



I'm getting tired, so here:
8) Dead Man's Bones - Pa Pa Power
9) Morrissey - Suedehead
10) Devendra Banhart - There's Always Something Happening
11) Dr. Dog - Unbearable, Why
12) Portugal. The Man - When The War Ends

Alrighty, until next time. <333333