Category Archives: 31 days of good 2010

31 days of good 2010, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 5

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Today’s picks come from two bands that both released follow ups to fantastic debut albums. The first one comes to us from the American psychedelic rock band, MGMT.

MGMT burst onto the scene with one of 2007’s finest, Oracular Spectacular. That album was huge and there was just about nothing wrong with it…except maybe that it was too good. Now MGMT had the incredibly difficult task of living up to everyone’s expectations with their sophomore effort.

Congratulations was released this last April and while it may not have the instant favorites and radio hits that Oracular Spectacular had, it is still a mighty fine record. You can tell when listening, that this album is a passion project and the boys made the album they wanted to make, not what they were expected to make. My favorite track is actually the first one I listened to—Flash Delirium. I’ll be completely honest, when I first listened to this I was somewhat disappointed. The track’s distinct clash of styles at first turned me off, but after much more listening, the song grew on me and it is now one of my favorite MGMT songs overall. It’s almost like 2 or 3 songs in one and the continuous buildup and eventual explosiveness of the track makes it impossible to not blast the song from your car stereo.
Purchase Congratulations via Amazon or iTunes
More MGMT @ whoismgmt.com
I was pleasantly surprised with this next band’s latest. Indie rock and NYC natives, Vampire Weekend, came out of nowhere with the 2008 release of their self-titled debut album. It’s not that I disliked that album, it just isn’t a favorite of mine. So needless to say, I wasn’t overly excited for the 2010 release of Contra. However, after the band released Horchata as a free download and as I started to hear more (thank you very much Hype Machine), I really began to enjoy the album and it’s probably one of my favorite 2010 releases.

If I had to pick one favorite right now, it would definitely be Run. The combination of syths, drum machines, and the swooning vocals of Ezra Koenig make for a fantastic track and one of my favorites of 2010 (the 2:39 mark is my favorite part, listen to it with good headphones and turn it up).

Purchase Contra via Amazon or iTunes
More Vampire Weekend @ vampireweekend.com
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31 days of good 2010, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 4

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Marina & the Diamonds (aka Marina Lambrini Diamandis) has been hard at work since 2005, but it was really in the last year that she became more of a household name. Marina’s musical style ranges from keyboard-based ballads to more up-tempo new wave-style songs with full band backing—which I love!
Her debut album, The Family Jewels, has been certified gold in the UK and features 5 fantastic singles, my personal favorite being I Am Not a Robot. However, this track was actually released in 2009 (Gareth James from Clash called the track “one of 2009’s best singles…an infectious pop track…) and re-released for The Family Jewels. Consequently, i’ve decided to go with another favorite of mine, the leadoff track from the album, Are You Satisfied?. I’m a sucker for piano/keyboard and this track doesn’t lag in that department.

(sorry, but I can’t post the track)
Listen and purchase Marina via Amazon, iTunes, & The Hype Machine
Los Campesinos! are an eight piece indie pop band that met in early 2006 at Cardiff University in Wales (interesting little fact, none of the members are actually Welsh). Since then, they have been hard at work showcasing their talents and entertaining fans with their energetic live shows.
The band’s most recent release, Romance is Boring, is another one of my favorite albums of 2010, which made it difficult to pick just one track. One of my favorite things about Los Campesinos! is how each album’s tracks blend together seamlessly, but not one track sounds the same. I went back and forth on this one, but eventually settled with Straight in at 101 (Plan A is in a very close 2nd). Los Campesinos! have always been able to find the humor in the tragic, and this song is a perfect example (pay attention to the brilliant opening and closing lyrics).

(sorry, can’t post the track, but you can find it here)
Purchase Los Campesinos! via Amazon or iTunes
More Los Campesinos! @ loscampesinos.com

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31 days of good 2010, 35mmbeats, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 3

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(FYI, realized there was too much good music released this past year to only cover one artist/band a day. I’ll be featuring 2 or 3 a day from now on)

What do you get when you combine a former hardcore guitarist with a schoolteacher/and one-time member of a teenpop group? Just about the best American noise pop/lo-fi duo Brooklyn has to offer.

Sleigh Bells is composed of Derek E. Miller (songwriter, guitarist, producer) and Alexis Krauss (vocals). After a breakout year consisting of huge showings at music fests, such as CMJ and Coachella, tours with the likes of Yeasayer and LCD Soundsystem, a feature in Spike Jonz’s robot love story I’m Here, and signing with M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. label, the duo released their debut full-length Treats. I’m still hashing out my best albums of 2010, but I can guarantee Treats is at least in the top 3 (I haven’t been as excited about a new band since The Go! Team released their first album).
The first Sleigh Bells track I heard, which still happens to be my favorite (actually it’s a tie between this and Rachel), is Crown on the Ground (as a little bonus, i’ve also included the Jane Bang remix). I hope you enjoy it as much as I have the past year, and definitely check out the rest of Treats if you haven’t already.
Purchase Treats via Amazon or iTunes
More Sleigh Bells @ myspace and infinitybells.com
LCD Soundsystem is anything but new to music blogs, so i’m going to keep this relatively short. This year, Mr. James Murphy released his third, and once again critically acclaimed album, This is Happening. Another definite addition to my best of 2010 list, this album is another must listen.
I’m trying to pick only one song per artist, which has proven to be much harder than expected, but I can easily say that Dance Yrself Clean is my favorite track from this album. I was lucky enough to see Sleigh Bells and LCD (and Hot Chip) share the stage this year and when LCD opened with this track, the crowd exploded (brace yourself for the 3:07 mark).
I can’t post the track (sorry), but you can listen to and preview tracks at lcdsoundsystem.com, myspace, & the hype machine

Purchase This is Happening via Amazon or iTunes
More LCD Soundsystem @ lcdsoundsystem.com
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31 days of good 2010, 35mmbeats, hype machine, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 2

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If you followed any of the coverage from the most recent CMJ, you’ve probably already heard about Zowie. I was first introduced to the New Zealand based, singer-songwriter by The Hype Machine and A Heart is a Spade.

The track i’ve chosen for today is the RAC remix of Broken Machine. This track was featured on the most recent Hype Machine Radio Show (November 2010) and it’s been on almost constant repeat since I first listened to it.
The track definitely reminds me a bit of La Roux, but I think I like Zowie more (i’ll decide on a final verdict after i’ve heard Zowie’s full-length). Without going too much into it, this track is super fun and I bet you’ll hear it at your New Year’s Eve party this year.
Zowie’s untitled debut is set to be released in 2011, and if it’s anything like her first single, Broken Machine, we’re all in for a big treat.
More Zowie @ myspace and iamzowie.com
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31 days of good 2010, 35mmbeats, music

(31) Days of Good: Day 1

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One of the most anticipated albums (and one of my favorites) of 2010 came to us from the amazing, orchestral indie rock band, Arcade Fire. Hailing from Canada, this 7-piece band had the difficult task of following up the critically acclaimed album, Neon Bible, but once again proved they deserve all the praise they receive.
As far as i’m concerned, a truly great album is one you can listen from beginning to end and each track fits together seamlessly, nearly creating one long song—The Suburbs does just that. The album was released last August and I don’t think there’s a bad song on it, but I do have a favorite. From the very first time I listened to The Suburbs in it’s entirety, one track grabbed me the most. Powerfully sang by frontwoman, Regine Chassagne, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) beautifully reminds us of an adolescent suburbia, teenage good times, and edge-of-adulthood bad times.
I can’t post any tracks for you (sorry), but here’s the unstaged video from Madison Square Garden
Purchase The Suburbs via Amazon (only $1.99 as of 11/30) or iTunes.
More Arcade Fire at arcadefire.com
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