Three-fourths of the way through 2010 and we’ve already been exposed to some jaw-dropping records. Big name indie veterans Broken Social Scene, The National, and dance aficionados LCD Soundsystem haven’t disappointed, treating us to some serious ear candy. Several other big name groups chose 2010 as the year to fight the sophomore record slump including Vampire Weekend and Joanna Newsom. 2010 has also seen impressive debut records from relative newcomers Local Natives, Surfer Blood, Janelle Monae and more, many of which have been released to critical acclaim. From Big Boi to Sleigh Bells to the Morning Benders, here is part one of the top 10 albums and tracks of 2010(So far). Cheers to your new favorite record.
10. Flying Lotus- Cosmogramma
Producer-extraordinaire Steven Ellison oozes talent, and with Cosmogramma he formulates a sound entirely of his own. Cosmogramma is a complete album, one that combines Ellison's love of electronica, jazz, hip- hop, and others for a unique feel. The tracks melt into each other, and elements of each reoccur at different points during the record. This album is a grower; store it in your wine cellar.
9. Beach House- Teen Dream
Beach House utilize a simple formula-- piano, guitar, cheap sounding drumbeats, and the commanding voice of Victoria Legrand to create hazy summer day, coma-inducing pop ballads. With Teen Dream, the band has expanded upon the formula and opened itself to more complicated, more varied and more accessible sounds. This record is brighter and poppier than their previous two full-lengths, but still aims straight to break your heart.
8. The National- High Violet
The National meticulously pieces together serious and meaningful rock songs evoking images of big city isolation. On High Violet, the band continues it’s every shade of black and grey indie rock that in turn conjures nervousness, paranoia, nostalgia, uncomfortable laughter and seclusion. The National had plenty of time and creative space to try to vary their sound, but instead chose to refine it on High Violet. Although not as much of a landmark as their last, High Violet has the National sounding exactly like themselves, not a bad thing considering that they consistently craft remarkable records.
7. Vampire Weekend- Contra
Vampire Weekend’s highly divisive self-titled debut danced politely from one idea to another, combining African percussion, clean guitars, a pop sensibility that James Mercer would be proud of, all with a subject matter dealing with the privileged life of college-going Northeasterners. With Contra, VW extend a giant middle finger to all of their detractors. They employ the same tactic of combining genres, further embrace their eccentricities, pile more excitement and diversity into the individual tracks, and grow tighter as a band. The lyrics are smarter, the songs more imaginative and the melody, just as infectious.
6. The Morning Benders- Big Echo
In a SXSW interview with Billboard.com Chris Chu of the Morning Benders speaks about Big Echo, “When we started making this album, Big Echo… we wanted to free ourselves of any kind of expectations or concepts or anything… we wanted to go explore the studio and the space and use everything that we had. I think the result is something that sounds a lot more diverse… more special, it’s more unique to me.” The bands willingness to embrace the studio as an instrument and to release a little bit of hold on the reigns to production and space manipulating studio-wizard Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear has set Big Echo a notch above most of their indie pop cohorts. With excellent use of pacing, emotive production value, captivating and consistently enthralling melody, and woozy sunset/ sunrise beach- pop vibes, the Morning Benders have given us an album sure to wear out your speakers.
Top Tracks (10-6).
These tracks are sure to find a home on your next mixtape (if they aren't on one already!)
10. Broken Social Scene- Sweetest Kill
9. Gorillaz- Superfast Jellyfish
8. Vampire Weekend- Giving Up The Gun
7. Joanna Newsom- Good Intentions Paving Company
6. Sleigh Bells- Tell 'Em
Photographs adapted from flickr- uploaded by from bottom left spinning clockwise-- alestria, the extinction blues, nonnon_non. Bottom right image adapted from darkwasthenight.com/artists -Thanks to all.
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