All posts by Concrete Opinions

31 days of good 2010, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 28

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First up, congrats to my sis!  She’s getting married today and i’m super happy for her.  Second, i’m officially on vacation as I write this and it feels GLORIOUS!  So, in celebration of both occasions, i’ve got two extra good picks for today’s edition of GOOD.  

Phantogram is a “street beat, psych pop” duo from NY.  Although active since 2007, the duo had a big 2010.  Earlier this year, they signed with Barsuk Records and also released their latest, Eyelid Movies, which has been a staple on year end lists this year.
Purchase on iTunes.
Next up, TV on the Radio bandmember/producer Dave Sitek’s solo-side project, Maximum Balloon.  
This record was another favorite of mine and barely missed out on a spot on my top 10 of 2010 list.  The record includes contributions by a ton of guests (pretty much every track), including David Byrne, Karen O, Aku, Theophilus London, and Little Dragon.  There’s really not a bad song on the record, but the Little Dragon collaboration is my personal favorite.
Purchase on iTunes.
Still in need of more GOOD?  35mmBeats has you covered.
31 days of good 2010, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 27

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One of my favorite covers of 2010 comes to us from the indie rock, husband/wife, duo Mates of State.  This year the duo released Crushes (The Covers Mixtape), which includes covers of other indie rock acts, including Tom Waits, Belle & Sebastian, The Mars Volta, and Girls.

You can download two tracks, Laura (Girls cover) and True Love Will Find You in the End (Daniel Johnston cover), for free at matesofstate.com.
Next up, Girls, an indie rock band from San Francisco that have been compared to Elvis Costello, Buddy Holly, and The Beach Boys.  This year they released the Broken Dreams Club EP.

 Girls – Heartbreaker by Hypetrak

Even more GOOD over at 35mmBeats.

31 days of good 2010, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 26

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I’m on the road for the next week, so the remaining posts will be short and sweet.  My goal was to have these all done way in advance and just set up auto-post, but procrastination got the better of me…but be sure to check out 35mmBeats for even more GOOD.

Japandroids is a two piece band from Vancouver, BC.  Tired of being forced to pick a label for their music, Brian King (guitar) and Dave Prowse (drums) decided that their sound was simply “post-nothing”.

2010 saw the re-release Japandroids’ two-pre-Post-Nothing EPs — LullabyDeath Jams and All Lies — compliled together as No Singles.  The EPs have been out of print ever since the original pressings (500 copies each on CD-R) quickly sold out.

Polyvinyl Records has a free sampler, which includes Younger Us, and a whole lot more.  Download the sampler here.

The New Pornographers is a Canadian indie rock band formed back in 1997.  The band released their fifth album, Together, back in May, and features guest appearances by musicians such as Zach Condon of Beirut, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent), Will Sheff of Okkervil River, and the horn players from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.  I thouroughly enjoyed this record and it barely missed being in my top 10 albums of 2010.

 New Pornographers – A Bite Out of My Bed by rslblog.com   The New Pornographers “Your Hands (Together)” by Frontside

31 days of good 2010, christmas, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 25

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Here are some of my favorite Christmas songs from 2010. I know a few of these songs were not released in 2010, but who cares…It’s Christmas! Light up that yule log, drink some egg nog, enjoy the jams!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


A B & The Sea – Christmas (Baby Please Come Come) feat. The She’s (Darlene Love Cover)

Ormonde – Blue Christmas

Parker Lewis & Matilda Berggren – All Alone on Christmas (Darlene Love cover)

This last track is my favorite. It’s an original Christmas ditty from my 5th favorite album of the year, by the incredible a cappella sextet, Sonos. It’s amazing what they can do with nothing but their voices… and it’s even more amazing watching them do it live. More Sonos here.

Be sure to checkout 35mmBeats for even more GOOD.
31 days of good 2010, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 24

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Here’s some of 2010’s best rock for your Christmas Eve listening pleasure.  And be sure to check out what GOOD 35mmBeats has to offer this fine day.

This Rockin’ Ramrods cover by Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti is a bit of pop justice.  The original should have been a hit, so consider this a second chance for a first-rate song.

 Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Bright Lit Blue Skies by Concrete Opinions

More Ariel Pink here.

Purchase on iTunes.

The Black Keys are an American blues-rock music duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney.  The duo’s sixth album, Brothers, was released this year and is all over year end lists.

 The Black Keys – Tighten Up by musicmule

More Black Keys here.

What started as an impromptu get-together with friends —Jack White, Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita, and Jack Lawrence — has blossomed into a full-blown alt-rock supergroup for their generation.  Sea of Cowards continues the momentum captured on Horehound, plunging deeper into its electric blue and sleazy rock foundations and exploding in different, surpising directions. (courtesy of iTunes)

 The Dead Weather – Hustle And Cuss by amelbret

More Dead Weather here.

High Violet is the fifth studio album by The National.  This albums marks the band’s highest charting effort yet and is well deserved.  There’s not a bad song on this record and it’s no surprise that it’s on so many year end lists.

 The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio by musicmule

More of The National here.

Titus Andronicus is a punk/indie rock band from New Jersey and takes its name from the Shakespeare play of the same name.  2010 saw the release of The Monitor — a concept album loosely based on themes relating to the American Civil War.
More Titus Andronicus here.