TOP 10 OF 2010

Well, this just has to be done: The top ten albums of 2010.

As an aspiring music writer, I often find myself overwhelmed with the question of whether something is "good" music. But, really, what makes a good album? Is it enough for me to say that I like something based on what I hear? Would anyone actually agree with me and keep reading? Usually I let my ears decide but is that grounds for what makes an album worthy of a Grammy nomination or of any album of the year titles? What about risks? What about trying something new? What about endurance? The albums I chose are albums that I love listening to not only because they please my ears, but because they're different, they're risks and they represent determination of artists.

1. Rogue Wave – Permalight

This album epitomizes the determination of a great band that can create music that not only represents their courage but also their triumph over the ailments that plagued them. The only difference between Permalight and their more slow, mellow and thought-provoking albums, is that it is an upbeat, celebration of life exemplified in a dance album. Everything about this album is fabulous.



2. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Perhaps you have heard of this album (sarcastic laugh), but that does not take away from the beauty and grand scale of the band's third album, The Suburbs. This album has catapulted these Canadian indie rockers to stardom, but what else would you expect from an album that can transition from songs like "Month of May" to "Wasted Hours" almost majestically. The album is a work of art, listen to the whole thing, in order, several times.



3. Guster – Easy Wonderful

Although simple and catchy hooks rule this album, the overall happiness and joy that surround this album make it something to be praised. But this should not dampen the deeper meaning behind the lyrics that seem to be so "simple." They are like the peanut inside of its shell.



4. Vampire Weekend – Contra

Basically, Vampire Weekend are the masters. If their self-titled album was not enough to prove this, Contra solidifies that.






5. Ok GO – Of the Blue Color of the Sky

Ok GO's album is a departure from the old and infuses a new identity for themselves and for their music. Although they are mostly know for prancing around 6 treadmills, with "This Too Shall Pass" and their promise to create a video for each of the songs on their album, they have shed the treadmill skin and have become a band that can create amusing videos and great music. The prince-esqueness of their album, Of the Blue Color of the Sky, is esthetically pleasing and created carefully and well.




6. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

Plastic Beach is like a russian nesting doll that keeps opening up to more and more beautiful, Gorillaz creations. Guest artists grace the songs and make each of them unique in the most uncliché way possible.




7. Yeasayer – Odd Blood

Odd Blood's beauty and simplicity is intertwined with its complexity. It's a great mix of techno, rock and wahtever else. It's honest lyrics can mend and heal any ailments.




8. The Black Keys – Brothers

Basic is best, and the Black Keys utilize that on their 6th album, Brothers. Songs are simple, but beautiful all in the same, like, for example "The Only One." There is no better song to describe 2010.




9. MGMT – Congratulations

A complete turn away from the commercially successful Oracle Spectacular, Vanwyngarden and Goldwasser offer a more personal outlook on their reaction to their stardom. Songs are deeper, maybe not as catchy as "Kids" or "Time to Pretend" but the beauty in "Congratulations" is untouched and worlds ahead of their previous singles.



10. Sufjan Stevens – Age of Adz

One of Sufjan's most personal, intimate and wonderfully made albums. Sufjan puts away his banjo for some synths. magical.









HONORABLE MENTIONS:

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – This is Happening
HOT CHIP - One Last Stand
SLEIGH BELLS – TREATS
PHANTOGRAM – Eyelid Movies
DR. DOG – Shame

Oh Hai

http://music.minneapolisfuckingrocks.com/post/1313297966/the-golden-age-stadium-shows

TRUTH! I say this just as I about to go to a Gorillaz concert.

Stay With Me Jesus

More praises for Guster. Although I'm not entirely sure if this is a joke or real, but I love it anyway. I can take it whatever way I would like.

http://vimeo.com/14537408

A Gust of Er

Hello world!

It is a marvelous Thursday, despite the fact that I had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled today. I am happy as a clam, and not because of the pain killers, either. In fact, I only took one dosage, and I have been drug free. Although, talk to my parents, coming home was quite an endeavor because I could not keep my balance and kept "doing the Ashly" and sticking both hands on the window and staring at the other drivers. I had to be told numerous times not to do that. Plus, my dad turned on Yellow Submarine for me when I got home and there was two of every character.

Well, music world, I will not talk about teeth and drugged experiences any longer. I have more important matters and these matters go by the name of Guster.



Guster released their first single for their up-and-coming album, Easy Wonderful. The song is entitled Do You Love Me and it is classic Guster at its best.

Here is the list of songs to be on Easy Wonderful, and if you go to their website, you can get a free download of song number 6. SCORE!

1. Architects & Engineersv
2. Do You Love Me
3. On the Ocean
4. This Could All Be Yours
5. Stay with Me Jesus
6. Bad Bad World
7. This Is How It Feels to Have a Broken Heart
8. What You Call Love
9. That's No Way to Get to Heaven
10. Jesus and Mary
11. Hercules
12. Do What You Want

Give their new single a listen:


Also new in the world, I have discovered another band called Said The Whale. They are from Canada, and I am falling quickly in love with them. Almost a puppy love. You might, too, check out this video. We will see if a further purchase is in line. But for now, it's my favorite song of the month.

Inspiration Super Highway

So I am reading another music blogger's blog and it is inspiring me to write and think about music a lot. Although, I think he must be a tool because he writes about the top 25 albums of every year and they are always so predictable. Always!

But, then he made a list of artists that he lists as, "I don't really listen to any of these bands music, but I respect the fact they're making it." Half of the artists he claims as being in his top 25 best albums or songs are on this list. Am I the only skeptical one? I mean, I guess someone can suggest an album but if someone suggests The Antler's Hospice to me, I do not want it to be because someone told him it was a good album. I want it to be someone who knows their music and wants others to love it too.

That being said, I highly suggest Hospice. It is one of the most well put together albums I have heard.

Seeing as it is almost August and I have about 18 days to prepare myself for physical death via sprinting, I will reward you children with my top 10 songs to INSPIRE.

(Disclaimer: these songs may or may not inspire you or anyone you know. They have been known to inspire when used correctly, however).

10. Voyager – Daft Punk
9. Trashcan – Delta Spirit
8. Hang On – Guster
7. Daylight – Matt & Kim
6. Sleeping Lessons – The Shins
5. Journey of the Fearless – Cloud Cult
4. Let Forever Be – Chemical Brothers
3. This Too Shall Pass – OK Go
2. Strawberry Swing – Coldplay
1. Harmonium – Rogue Wave



ENJOY LIFE!

Modest Mouse and Rogue Wave, The Perfect July

Since it has become obvious that I am terrible at writing about my concert experiences, I will paraphrase them. Less reading. Hoorah.



Modest Mouse at Orpheum Minneapolis, MN on July 14:

- Warm up band, Radar Bros, were pretty average.
- Venue was not ideal. The sound was pretty good, though. Better than the XCEL.
- Seats were not very good
- Songs were obscure, even for me. They jumped all over the place. They only played one song off their latest album, which was my favorite, so I was not complaining, but I would have liked to have heard more off of the album The Moon & Antarctica. They did, however, play Paper Thin Walls, which is a favorite.



A video:


Worth it? Absolutely. I put Modest Mouse fans at about the same level as Coldplay fans (and Coldplay fans are pretty nuts). Basically, it is simply magical to hear an entire room filled with fans singing Float On, as that was the most recognize song besides possibly Dashboard or Dramamine. It is a required must for all Modest Mouse fans to see them live.

(photos by Dinnah Gustavo)
Rogue Wave at The Waiting Room Omaha, NE on July 18:
- Great venue
- Great crowd
- They all remembered Dinnah and me
- Missed warm up band because we went on a walk with Steve Taylor, the keyboardist.
- Hung out with the band afterward in their tour bus.


Worth it? ABSOLUTELY. Rogue Wave might be my favorite band, surpassing Coldplay (Do not worry, The Beatles are on an entirely different level). I love Coldplay dearly, so this is quite a statement. Perhaps if I met Chris, Johnny, Guy or Will in real life, this might change. The connection between a band and its fans can make their music even more magical. If I had never met Pat or Zach or any of the members of Rogue Wave, I would not know how goofy or funny they actually are and how that plays a part in their music. Now when I listen, I can hear it, and I love it.

Upcoming shows? Rogue Wave, Sea Wolf, hopefully Dr. Dog, Menonmena, Stars, and Matt and Kim. AND MANY MORE!

The Best Things in Life are on iTunes

Tonight when I went onto my computer, after being gone all night, I went on iTunes to find that someone had searched "Orange Spectacular" into the search bar.

I know it was you, Mother. Were you looking for MGMT or cookie recipes?


You make me smile.


I promise I will blog about Modest Mouse and ROGUE WAVE, soon.