1. Jack Johnson - To the Sea
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Jack Johnson. His music hits me the same way that the Chili Peppers', Hendrix's or Bob Marley's music does. I'm usually quite annoyed when people realize that I'm a fan and then ask "so do you like Jason Mraz or John Mayer?" The answer is a resounding "NO"! No offense to those dudes or their fans but, its not the same. Its like saying "You like Marley? Then you must love Billy Ocean and UB40!" Not the same. Jack Johnson is an understated yet powerful singer songwriter with soul and sincerity to spare! Plus his music is groovy as hell! I absolutely loved "To the Sea". In my opinion, his best record since "On and On". Mel and I saw Jack perform in KC last summer with ALO and it will go down as one of our most memorable concerts evah! We had a blast! Loves me some Jack Johnson :)
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Jack Johnson. His music hits me the same way that the Chili Peppers', Hendrix's or Bob Marley's music does. I'm usually quite annoyed when people realize that I'm a fan and then ask "so do you like Jason Mraz or John Mayer?" The answer is a resounding "NO"! No offense to those dudes or their fans but, its not the same. Its like saying "You like Marley? Then you must love Billy Ocean and UB40!" Not the same. Jack Johnson is an understated yet powerful singer songwriter with soul and sincerity to spare! Plus his music is groovy as hell! I absolutely loved "To the Sea". In my opinion, his best record since "On and On". Mel and I saw Jack perform in KC last summer with ALO and it will go down as one of our most memorable concerts evah! We had a blast! Loves me some Jack Johnson :)
2. Vampire Weekend - Contra
I was totally impressed with Vampire Weekend's sophomore record. I loved this band right from the start of their self titled debut in 2008. "Contra" did not disappoint. It has all of the West African rhythms and classical string arrangements that I loved about the first record but I feel that their overall songwriting got better and more ambitious with this release.
3. Rogue Wave - Permalight
Rogue Wave has become one of my all time favorite rock bands and this is their best release to date! "Permalight" is also their most upbeat record to date. It has a big, sparkly, sunshine-y sound throughout. Mel and I saw Rogue Wave perform at a bike shop in Austin at SXSW and they did not disappoint! This record was the soundtrack to the awesome time that we had during the SXSW festival and I wore this record out over last Spring/Summer. I can't wait to crank it up again this year when it starts to get warm :)
Rogue Wave has become one of my all time favorite rock bands and this is their best release to date! "Permalight" is also their most upbeat record to date. It has a big, sparkly, sunshine-y sound throughout. Mel and I saw Rogue Wave perform at a bike shop in Austin at SXSW and they did not disappoint! This record was the soundtrack to the awesome time that we had during the SXSW festival and I wore this record out over last Spring/Summer. I can't wait to crank it up again this year when it starts to get warm :)
4. Animal Liberation Orchestra - Man of the World
ALO has been on my radar for a few years now but I've never given them much of a chance until this past year and I'm glad I did! They might be my most listened to band of 2010. ALO are 4 NoCal hippie, groovesters who are also very talented songwriters and gifted musicians. "Man of the World" has some of my favorite ALO songs on it but as a whole is my least favorite of their releases. That's not to say that its sub-par. Its just that their last 2 records are solid from front to back while this one has a few tracks that would have been better off on the cutting room floor. Mel and I saw ALO open for Jack Johnson last Summer and they effectively got us out of our seats and moving in no time at all. It helped that we were a few Modelo's deep at the time ;)
ALO has been on my radar for a few years now but I've never given them much of a chance until this past year and I'm glad I did! They might be my most listened to band of 2010. ALO are 4 NoCal hippie, groovesters who are also very talented songwriters and gifted musicians. "Man of the World" has some of my favorite ALO songs on it but as a whole is my least favorite of their releases. That's not to say that its sub-par. Its just that their last 2 records are solid from front to back while this one has a few tracks that would have been better off on the cutting room floor. Mel and I saw ALO open for Jack Johnson last Summer and they effectively got us out of our seats and moving in no time at all. It helped that we were a few Modelo's deep at the time ;)
5. Spoon - Transference
Spoon has yet to disappoint. Every release since "Kill the Moonlight" has been solid. It was as stripped down and raw as "Ga Ga Ga....." was dressed up and I was happy to hear the shift in aesthetic. Amazing guitar sounds and grooves. "Transference" is to be listened to at 10. Great record!
Spoon has yet to disappoint. Every release since "Kill the Moonlight" has been solid. It was as stripped down and raw as "Ga Ga Ga....." was dressed up and I was happy to hear the shift in aesthetic. Amazing guitar sounds and grooves. "Transference" is to be listened to at 10. Great record!
6. The Dead Weater - Sea of Cowards
Speaking of listening to records on 10.....Man! The Dead Weather rocks! What else would you expect from a Jack White project? I had no intention on buying this record. I just wasn't feeling the drudgy blues riffage upon listening to my 30 second itunes samples. But when we saw them open for the Flaming Lips last April they knocked my socks off! Such an awesome and powerful performance. Jack White is a monster on drums! Who knew? And Allison Mosshart is probably the most rocking-est chick that I've ever seen on stage. Some of this record sounded a little redundant to me after a few listens. Its a record that I have to be in a specific mood to enjoy. But when I am, its like a punch in the face........in a positive way :)
Speaking of listening to records on 10.....Man! The Dead Weather rocks! What else would you expect from a Jack White project? I had no intention on buying this record. I just wasn't feeling the drudgy blues riffage upon listening to my 30 second itunes samples. But when we saw them open for the Flaming Lips last April they knocked my socks off! Such an awesome and powerful performance. Jack White is a monster on drums! Who knew? And Allison Mosshart is probably the most rocking-est chick that I've ever seen on stage. Some of this record sounded a little redundant to me after a few listens. Its a record that I have to be in a specific mood to enjoy. But when I am, its like a punch in the face........in a positive way :)
7. Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune
Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorite artists of all time and my all time favorite guitarist ever! This record is a collection of unfinished Hendrix sketches and alternate takes of familiar tunes. Nothing new or earth shattering but, as a Hendrix superfan/junkie it was truly a lost treasure and sounded as fresh and relevant as ever.
Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorite artists of all time and my all time favorite guitarist ever! This record is a collection of unfinished Hendrix sketches and alternate takes of familiar tunes. Nothing new or earth shattering but, as a Hendrix superfan/junkie it was truly a lost treasure and sounded as fresh and relevant as ever.
8. Band of Horses - Infinite Arms
"Infinite Arms" is my least favorite Band of Horses record. They polished up and concreted a new lineup and in doing so, lost something that was unique to their overall sound that was present on the last two releases. Its a certain something that I can't quite pinpoint but that I really loved about BOH. That being said, this record is still totally solid. The songwriting is as good as ever and they're progressing in a really cool direction. I just wish they'd bring back those big sparkly, atmospheric guitars and take it easy on the vocal reverb. Plus, points lost for throwing a "badges only" concert at SXSW turning away "wristband" fans like Mel and I after we rushed to the show and waited in line. Boo! :)
"Infinite Arms" is my least favorite Band of Horses record. They polished up and concreted a new lineup and in doing so, lost something that was unique to their overall sound that was present on the last two releases. Its a certain something that I can't quite pinpoint but that I really loved about BOH. That being said, this record is still totally solid. The songwriting is as good as ever and they're progressing in a really cool direction. I just wish they'd bring back those big sparkly, atmospheric guitars and take it easy on the vocal reverb. Plus, points lost for throwing a "badges only" concert at SXSW turning away "wristband" fans like Mel and I after we rushed to the show and waited in line. Boo! :)
9. Beach House - Teen Dream
I just bought this album a few weeks ago after reading so much about it over the past year. Yes, it lives up to the hype. Slow and dreamy yet structured and visceral. "Teen Dream" is reminiscent of a Mazzy Star record except with much better songwriting and big, lush guitars. "Teen Dream" is a cool, dreamy chill out record that won't put you to sleep. Dig.
10. Jonsi - Go
Pure sonic beauty. Another recent purchase,"Go" is a definite grower. I've been listening to it non stop and it keeps getting better and better. Basically a brighter sounding, pop version of a Sigur Ros record. Which is a good thing.
Listen to select tracks off of this list here:
Jace's 2010 Playlist
Honorable mention: Deftones - Diamond Eyes
Being a former Deftones fan, I know that this is their best record to date. However, as I may once have had the mentality to enjoy the Deftones, I no longer share that taste with my former self. ie, I'm never, ever in the mood to listen to someone moaning and screaming in my ears over reverb soaked, metal guitars for an hour or so. Good for them though ;)
2010 records that I have yet to but plan on purchasing. I've heard enough off of these records to know that its just a matter of time before they make their way in to my library:
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Fela Kuti - Best of the Black President
Black Keys - Brothers
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
You should get the Broken Bells album soon. I can't stop listening to it! Nice top ten list. I agree on most - some I haven't heard of before. :)
ReplyDeleteCool! I plan to asap :) I wish my means matched up with my appetite for music. I purchased much more non-2010 records this year and it adds up.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard Beach House and Jonsi? I'm willing to bet that you'd love both! ALO is pretty rootsy and groovy if you're in to that sort of thing. Check em out :)