Category Archives: recs
My girlfriend saw this band at a dive in the West Village last night, came home and showed me this song. I’m in love. Everything I’ve ever wanted from The Kooks.
The Riff Raff – On His Behalf
Favorite Records of 2010
1. Drake – Thank Me Later
A lot of people hate Drake, but there wasn’t a record I listened to more this year than Thank Me Later. I’ve never had a worse album cover grace my coveted favorite record of the year spot, but despite the bad art, he’s genuine and honest, and more than any other album I heard this year, I feel truly inspired listening to him. He had the gall to put “Karaoke” (below) at track 2 on the record. Beautiful, beautiful burner.
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2. The Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
Hard to deny the skill of this band. Piercing yet subtle. I spun this one a lot. Check out “City With No Children” below.
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3. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Atop a lot of year-end lists, I had pretty high expectations for this one. I was one of the few who fell head over heels for 808s & Heartbreak, so unlike many, I wasn’t blown away with his “comeback.” That being said, the first half of Fantasy is pretty flawless. The second half loses me a bit with would-be favorites crippled by uber-corny lyrics. Kanye has absolutely solidified himself as one of my favorite artists of all-time. “Monster” below. Minaj kills.
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4. Robyn – Body Talk
Body Talk Part I was an early blossom that had me believing the full Body Talk release would top my year-end list. She’s so alone on the tracks, sad but still cool. I love how she ended the EP releases with stripped future-singles, “Hang With Me” (below) being one of those.
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5. Beach House – Teen Dream
I got my mom this album for Christmas. She’s a hip mom. She has Bjork and Bright Eyes stickers on her Subaru. She’ll love this album and so will you. Lead track “Zebra” below.
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6. Marina & The Diamonds – The Family Jewels
This record came out pretty early this year, and I wore it out. She’s got some serious pipes. Saw her in Seattle a few months back and was a little underwhelmed by what I expected to be a knock-me-over performance. She writes some killer pop songs — very excited to hear what she does next. “Oh No!” below.
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7. The National – High Violet
Their last release, Boxer, was on my year-end list in ‘07. Matt Berninger’s hauntingly somber baritone melodies stick in my head like darts. Their sound somehow reminds of that great Love Spit Love song “Am I Wrong.” Check out “Terrible Love” below.
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8. Steel Train – Steel Train
Big fans of these Jersey boys. They were nice enough to take us out on tour with them in 2008 where I was lucky enough to hear some of these songs played live every night. This band works harder than anyone, and the deserve everything that comes their way. “Soldier In The Army” is my main jam.
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9. Daft Punk – Tron Legacy Soundtrack
I guess this doesn’t technically count as an album but it’s Daft Punk, so I’m counting it. I loved reading that the Frenchies insisted on arranging the orchestrations themselves. A lot of it is very simple, much like Daft Punk, but so so so catchy and effective. I love listening to this album as I walk through the city. Gives my steps a little extra umphh. “Rectifier” below.
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10. Big Boi – Sir Luscious Left Foot The Son Of Chico Dusty
Outkast sits right outside my top five favorite artists of all-time, and though Andre is what makes them so special, Big Boi holds his own. He’s so smooth. “Shutterbug” is one of the best songs of the year. Check out “General Patton” below.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Good Old War – Good Old War
Sleigh Bells – Treats
Ratatat – LP4
KiD CuDi – Man On The Moon II
Portugal. The Man – American Ghetto
Best Coast – Crazy For You
Delorean – Subiza
Yeasayer – Odd Blood
Spoon – Transference
My SIFF Experience (I meant to post this long, long ago).
I saw 6 movies at this year’s Seattle International Film Festival. I REALLY enjoyed 4 of them. My favorite of the lot was Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s MICMACS. I’m a huge fan of Jeunet’s playful style, as seen in Amelie, A Very Long Engagement, and The City Of Lost Children (I’ve still yet to see Delicatessen). His films exude such a feeling of happiness and love of the little things in life. Trailer for Micmacs below.
Another film I fell in love with at this year’s SIFF was THE CONCERT starring Melanie Laurent, the gorgeous martyr projectionist in Inglourious Basterds. Great film for any music lover, classical or not. Trailer below.
There was a lot of hype for WINTER’S BONE, especially after winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance this year. The film was very dark (which I always love) and well made, showing a side of America I’ve never before seen on screen. Trailer below.
The final of the blessed “4″ was Luca Guadagnino’s I AM LOVE, starring Tilda Swinton. The film was beautiful, shot in Italy, following an affair between Tilda Swinton’s character and her son’s friend and business partner. I found myself imagining other filmmakers watching I Am Love and thinking to themselves ‘I could never make a film this gorgeous.’ Trailer below.
As for the ‘other two.’ CYRUS, starring John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, and Catherine Keener, directed by the Duplass brothers. Sounds great, right? Meh. Definitely funny parts but I felt that it couldn’t decide to be more funny or more dramatic and heartfelt. I loved the cast, but especially with the recent Step Brothers (hilarious movie – also starring JCR), it felt too cliche. I’m sure it will get a pretty big nationwide push. Trailer below.
Lastly, there was THE FAMILY TREE, starring Hope Davis and Dermot Mulroney, again, sounding very promising. Not so much. The movie wanted to simultaneously be a heavy family piece a la American Beauty while keeping raunchy, cliche humor int he mix. I saw the world premiere, a lot of the cast and crew were there. I wanted to like it. But then I didn’t. Trailer below.
The Weeknd – The Morning
The Weeknd – The Morning by The_Weeknd