recollections, i left them on the floor, and ran for dear life through the door.
This was a year of high hopes, personally, professionally and in playback for the stereo. Professionally I at least got a holding station to keep me going for a bit. Personally, well that’s a structure in a constant state of “work in progress,” though sadly I only managed a house of cards this year. And I don’t mean to bring this up as a complaint, though, upon looking at my musical favorites for this year, many of them are a bit more dark, a bit more sad. It appears, that was just where my head has been these last three hundred and sixty five days (of course a few glowing, happy days in there I imagine, yes a few I think).
Anyway, we’ll do some quick reviews of this last year’s lovely output and of course what I believe to be two thousand and ten’s best release.
Bonobo “Black Sands” A truly remarkable work of sampling, production and beautiful melody. I am awestruck by Bonobo and have to thank a friend, defectivebeauty for this one. After I think the third time of walking into his office (office… lol) asking, “What’s this track dude? It’s good!” He replied “Again… BONOBO. For fuck’s sake what’s your dropbox?” Track one through twelve can and should be listened straight through, due to lovely recurring themes and a beautiful, lonely string melody that repeats throughout.
Scott Pilgrim Score & MPS Be you a baby of the 80’s? Then listen, appreciate and share. If you did not enjoy this movie or this soundtrack dear reader, well then, there is something defective in your soul. Sex Bob-Omb is the greatest fake movie band ever… fuck the monkees.
Massive Attack “Heligoland” Though not my favorite release of theirs, there are some incredibly powerful moments to the record, “Paradise Circus” being, above all, the most beautiful work they have managed in quite a long time. “Atlas Air” as well, just frighteningly exciting, unforgettable and painstaking in its complete desperation.
Ulrich Schnauss “Missing Deadlines” Originally given over by a friend, I had to purchase a hard copy of this gorgeous, profound, endlessly detailed record. You all know my opinions of Master Schnauss as I have gone on about him often. If, however you are not aware of him, look back on this blog, you will be promptly, if not excessively educated of Mr. Schnauss’ collected works. Absolutely flawless, and a close tie for my favorite record of the year.
The Chemical Brothers “Further” Psychedelia, more than they have ever managed before, as if Webster’s needs to rewrite the definition and show the album art as an example. Masterfully damaged sound, almost too much punching through the speakers, as if Chem’s have grown concerned people have forgotten what loud can be. “Swoon” is unarguably one of their most beautiful works ever, the shining moment of staggering beauty in the record, and absolutely flawless production-wise, besides. Though, to be fair, the whole record is memorable, not merely an album defined by a single song. Truly a mind bending recording and remarkably high art housed in a very accessible record.
Frightened Rabbit “The Winter of Mixed Drinks” As you may well know, I recently wrote my review on this. Amanda, thank you again for this lovely discovery. I know I am late to the party on this one, but I think I made up for it in terms of excitement and overall listens. Read priors, listen promptly and buy the fucking record, end of story. There is nothing like this band in modern rock and that it is equally wonderfully singular and heartbreakingly rare.
The Naked & Famous “Passive Me, Aggressive You” I do not know what else to say, the best moments of the eighties wrapped up in modern production, with all its lovely benefits. Two passionate singers who share a unique gift for lyric and the blesséd hook. Without fail a record that needs to be heard by everybody, it’s a record that actually demands to be heard, regardless of genre, this record is just important somehow. It’s a force of nature this one, just let it run the room for you.
Jimmy Eat World “Invented” You all know my opinions of Jimmy Eat World, the lifeline to my memory that they are. Clarity reminds me of the smell of my first dorm room and having to leave Los Angeles alone all those years ago, to Chase this Light and a very sad phone call to Pasadena, each of these memories has been accompanied by this wonderful band. Invented, though not tied to any one experience in particular yet, I do hope it’s a happy memory with this one. Regardless though, this is their “Brief History of Time”, where, like Hawking explaining the impossible, so does JEW manage to refine the unexplainable qualities of their records into a truly beautiful, clear vision. Their most well realized record ever, their finished symphony, their very own opus.
Ok… now for some techno:
Underworld “Barking” When I first started looking into Underworld some years ago, I was surprised at how few songs sounded like “Cowgirl”. Though always danceable, some of the sounds were harder to get into, as “Cowgirl” was my first entry into this lovely group. Now, in the last few years, many of their released songs have moved towards unforgettable melodies and intense song structures. Most notably a huge emphasis on Mr. Hyde’s Ginsbergian beat poetry, and his undefinable (and unmistakeable) singing style. This record does show that emphasis- Master Hyde’s vocal and lyrical prowess- taken to perfection and we all get to enjoy his clearest linguistic vision. Is it their best record? No. Is it their easiest to enjoy at face value? Yes, above all, yes. It’s Underworld, with the cleanest warmest production yet and it is by far their most positive record. Really really really worth the listen and easily some of the best EDM this year.
Dave Seaman’s Global Underground 039: Lithuania Upon many more listens, I am completely in love with this mix. It’s deep, beautiful and filled with songs that are absolutely life changing. Dave is back in terms of vision and melody, his talent for finding music that matters to you and I, is still in effect. Bewitching, bass bin friendly and just so amazingly memorable. Track for track from start to finish, these are beautiful mixes.
James Zabiela’s Renaissance Master Series: Life James’ most beautiful, best flowing, profoundly emotional mix. Mr. Zabiela tended to in the past- before his first master series- default to danceability and bass solely instead of melody and real musicality. However, his first Master Series ended that, but this one brought it to a higher level. JZ did what we love to hear from him, he also brings surprises and elegant songs selections to his prolific mixing abilities. It really takes me back to his lovely work, Four.2, the best mix series I have ever heard. Yes above Sasha & Digweed.
Daft Punk’s Tron Soundtrack It’s Daft Punk. Listen. Listen closely. Listen loudly.
So I could simply pick best of 2010, but I decided to use some scientific sophistication this year. And so I figured to go by play count which iTunes thankfully keeps track of. This though, brought about a bit of a quandry: Even though Jimmy Eat World does have multiple songs that are high in play count (Littlething tops out at 27 plays on my computer alone), Frightened Rabbit is on 23 plays for “Nothing Like You” AND I’ve only owned “The Winter of Mixed Drinks” since December 3rd! Conversely, I’ve owned Jimmy Eat World’s record since late September. So, I think, logically, it has to go to Frightened Rabbit, “The Winter of Mixed Drinks”. Not only for the one song, the whole record is brilliant, my current favorite is “The Loneliness And The Scream”.
Happy New Year, I hope it is a lovely year for you.
keep listening.
_backchat.
