Wait, I have a blog? And I remember the password? LET’S GO.
Out of the 50 or so albums I’ve heard this year, these are the ones I keep coming back to. They are all pretty well-known (except for one, which springs from the underground metal scene). In fact, one week I saw #1 and #2 holding those exact spots on Billboard independent music chart. One of these bands is already on HBO previews, while the other headlines festivals and hits the stage shithammered in a white suit. And keep in mind, I'm someone who used to think that The End Records was a "big label."
But enough chatter....
1) GORILLAZ – Plastic Beach
Cartoon band blah blah blah. This album has fucking slayed since day one. Evil disco music is thrown in alongside Arabic hip-hop, rap-rock with an insanely catchy chorus, “Waterloo Sunset” and the Pet Shop Boys. And it works, in the process somehow saying something about today’s all-embracing musical culture. Definitely my most played album of 2010.
2) DUM DUM GIRLS – I Will Be
50s girl pop with punk guitars (yeah, no one's ever done that before). A few months ago I accidentally clicked on the video for “Jail La La,” and I’ve been hooked ever since. Short and sweet and catchy as fuck, it’s truly an album for song-lovers. And at just thirty minutes in length, you don’t have to worry about your glucose levels.
3) LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – This Is Happening
Quintessential 80s nostalgia dance record. More thunderous than its predecessor and possibly a bit more unfocused, James Murphy nevertheless lives up to the hype. “I Can Change” is the album’s “Someone Great”; “All I Want” its “All My Friends.” Like you didn't know all this already.
4) ALCEST – Écailles De Lune
As much as it pains me to say it, Neige’s latest album is good. Possibly stupid-good. It seems this time around he has learned how to incorporate hooks instead of just lulling the listener to sleep. Both the shoegaze and black metal elements are more pronounced this time.
5) SLEIGH BELLS – Treats
Don’t let their name fool you, and don’t let the mega-hype dissuade you—this noise-pop duo turns it up to 11 and keeps it there. This album almost ruined my car’s factory speakers this summer. They sample Funkadelic and don’t run the least risk of blasphemy.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: FOUR TET – There Is Love In You; BIG BOI – Sir Lucious Left Foot; KAYO DOT – Coyote; WATAIN – Lawless Darkness; TAME IMPALA – InnerSpeaker; ARIEL PINK’S HAUNTED GRAFFITI – Before Today; BEACH HOUSE – Teen Dream
BEST LIVE ACT: Ariel Pink
WORST LIVE ACT: Ariel Pink
MOST ANTICIPATED: Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Panda Bear, Deerhunter
MOST STEREOTYPICAL FAN OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC: me
That about sums it up for now. I'm sure I'll be hating this list come December.
