So it's that time of of year. I'm going to explain why these are my top releases of 2010 (as I usually do) and how I can relate to the album. 2010 was a big year for me. Both of my grandmothers passed away, I got my career back, and moved in with my girlfriend. Pretty heavy stuff right?
So bare with me and my tastes of 2010.
10. Weekend - SportsI was really curious about this artist when Mexican Summer first announced this record. The cover seems like something I'd be into. Later the
video came out which also turned out to be really awesome. I still have yet to purchase this lp, but I've been told that it has some really interesting packaging.
9. The Men - ImmaculadaI found out about this band from word of mouth. I really regret going to nyc and skipping out on seeing them play with nomo's at death by audio. The first half of this album is pretty dark and noisey but the 2nd half takes off into kinda a MBV vibe. The packaging of this record is very sketchy, but cool because it was all screen printed and glued together by the band. DIY. Last I heard they were recording a record for one of the bigger garage/indie labels out there.
8. Swans - My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky14 years in the making. I was a little skeptical at first about this record. Nothing really stood out. However seeing them play this record live was huge. I was told that Swans chose to play lee's because they bought a new sound system, and everyone seeing them leading up to that show said they were loud live. Loud in the pummeling sense. Their performance made this record great. Michael Gira can howl one fierce tune.
7. Thee Oh Sees - Warm SlimeAnother late pass on my part. My girlfriend bought this record after hearing them before hand and thinking how over hyped they were, just another noisy garage band blah blah. Trust me. See this band live. Best performance I saw all year. I couldn't believe how awesome the whole band as one is. The singer has a Roland Space echo hooked up to his vocals which can be pretty comedic, but during their songs it's so perfect. This band can really rock and I've been told that people go ape shit in their home town San Francisco. Although this isn't their best release, it's a great summer LP. "All we need is the summer time, hey hey."
6. Deftones - Diamond EyesPsh, Who would have ever thought Deftones would release something as great as this record. I mean some of us still remember the crap they put out after White Pony (ST? Saturday Night Wrist?) A band that has been around for over 20 years still holding on to the same sound that was kinda embarrassing for some of us to admit (shh nu-metal) we actually liked. I consider this comfort music, background noise, music I can relax a little bit to. This band still rules live, even in a crowd of 20 000 people. Solid release, minus the title track.
5. Masshysteri - S/TMy old roommate got me into this band when they put out their first LP. He had just got back from Sweden and immediately said, check out this band. Needless to say, I was hooked. This record has a little bit of a different sound from their previous recordings, however still amazing. The guitar sound reminds me of all the music I heard while I was in the Dominican Republic for some weird reason. It almost sounds like an electric piano but kinda The Smiths at the same time (I hate the smiths). They also sing in Swedish. This is coming off as a hard sell for a number 5 slot, but trust me, you'll be bobbing your head after the first listen.
4. Nails - Unsilent DeathHoly Fuck what an album. From start to finish this LP (ep?) rips. I've looked around and been told that this is considered an EP but 10 songs on a 12" is an LP to me. Todd Jones is the dude behind all this, and even though his guitar tone live is fucking terrible and has some pretty hilarious gestures live, the dude can play guitar well. I don't say that about many guitarists these days, but Todd Jones can rip. 80's Earache vibe with a hint of PV.
3. Ty Segall - MeltedI don't know why it took me so long to actually listen to this record. Maybe it's because I didn't want to feel like another head listening to stupid hipster music. But fuck, a dude named "Ty Segall" actually writes a really good record. If anyone were to sound like an early version/modern day of "The Beatles", Ty Segall does a pretty good job of it. Take away the terrible recording sound (it may add to it if it's your thing) and add more harmony's, you're not far off. By the looks of it, his live shows seem fun, but I feel like it might lack the recorded vibe to his sound. This is a real good stomper for sure, thanks Ty.
2. Grids - KansasAnother asshole ripper. I was one of the lucky ones to get a first press of this record for being on the cool guy message boards and sending an email to the right dude who hooked me up with both "White Walls" (which came out earlier in the year as you may have seen on this fine blog) and "Kansas". Both records rip. I prefer this one just on the fact that the songs sound a little better recorded and louder. I think the singer from Harvey Milk recorded them on this as well. I wish I could be in this band.
1. End of a Year - You Are Beneath MeNow to start things off, I may not agree with everything the singer Patrick has to say, which is fair. It's his opinion and this is mine. But he has the balls to say things that you might only think about and forget about it 2 seconds later. He also has a big heart. I respect this band and everything that they do. This record is flawless lyrically and sound wise.
EP's of 2010
5. Eastern Wave - PopulateI heard about this band and checked them out by chance. It was on one of the many blog's I check out, so whoever you are, I thank you. I don't really know much about this band, but the past two release they've made have caught my attention. Call it post rock, post metal, whatever, it's good.
4. Unsane - Coextinction Release 1You can't mess with Unsane's sound. It's thick and god damn is it ever soul crushing. This is their new digital only (I hate that) label that will be releasing some big ep's every month it seems. This is the label's first release and what an awesome one it is. If you're into this EP, check out everything else they done. It all sounds the same and it's all amazing.
3. Clockcleaner - Auf WiedersehenI don't know how this slipped by my radar, but I had no idea about it until I saw the 12" at the record store. This 4 song EP/LP/Mini-LP whatever is awesome. Driven by the drums and bass this is not far off from what the singer is doing now (PRF) but is still has the signature Clockcleaner guitar style (noisy and catchy) with John's lyrical style that has more of his low vocal pattern (PRF) and his sad sad lyrics. Love this band.
2. White Car - S/TI was tipped off by a friend about this band. He asked me if I liked Nine Inch Nails, I responded with yes and he let me listen to this EP. I couldn't get enough of it. Two dudes from Chicago with keyboards. Sounds like hipster music, except nobody really cares about White Car.
1. Puerto Rico Flowers - 4As mentioned about, this is John from Clockcleaner's new band. Bass driven with a little bit of synth. This is some sad man music. I like to try and make up a story of how he came to start this band. I feel like his wife left him and he moved to Australia for a bit to cool off. I could be completely off. This Ep is better than his recently 7" with a Neil Young Cover on it. A little to sad pop for me.
Enjoy.
