Archive for December, 2010
New Sounds
Oh dear, 2010 is already over. That makes me a little sad. But it’s not all sad: it was a promising year for music, surely. So, here, I’m going to list down fifteen albums (or fourteen-and-a-half) that were released this year that I particularly enjoyed. I don’t quite think of it as a “best of 2010″ type of list, but I suppose that’s the most straightforward way of thinking about it. I’m not a big fan of lists, but there is a very humble motivation behind making one like this: the possibility that you might find something to like here too. So, in no particular order except the one that they are in (incidentally, the picture is not very helpful because it’s not in the same order! How unkind of me), here are my favourite new albums of 2010:
Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
At some two hours long, Joanna Newsom’s album is pretty epic. That is, it’s both very pretty and all rather epic. In here we find signs of change: Newsom expands her sound to include instruments such as the tambura and genres such as jazz; at the same time, her voice has shifted from its squeaking registers into its sweet timbre. What hasn’t changed is her ability to weave the beauty of her music into a spellbinding whole. And what a monumental whole, at that. There is rarely a dull moment in Newsom’s delightfully crafted two hours. It’s an experience quite unlike anything else in contemporary music, and there’s certainly a case for this being an album that will stand the test of time. So go ahead, let her enchant and enthrall you with her multitude of narratives and succinctly imagined sounds in this highly entertaining folk album.
Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Deerhunter is fast establishing itself as one of the most vital American bands working today. Halcyon Digest is a hazy and intimate album that starts offin stark, spare fashion, building it all up into the startlingly brilliant “Helicopter”, a dreamy and masterful exercise in repetition. Against an overwhelming sense of poignancy, one also finds a perhaps ironic, perhaps defiant sense of cheer and excitement–darkly positive, if you will. It’s almost Beckettian in that sense. As I said in my Christmas gift suggestion post, Deerhunter makes music exciting again, but not just music–even life.
Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
Cosmogramma is an electronic album by the ridiculously talented Flying Lotus. It is an inspired exercise that throws up idea after idea in a consistently unpredictable manner, shifting from one genre to another–jazz one instant, 8-bit videogame music the next–in a way both cohesive and engaging. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable and somewhat challenging album that invites you to discover and then rediscover its complex sounds, intricate subtleties, and sheer ingenuity over and over again.
Lisbon by The Walkmen
At this stage of their career, it’s perhaps no surprise to find the Walkmen so confident in their music. Lisbon doesn’t cry out for attention, doesn’t shock and doesn’t astonish, choosing instead to build slowly, choosing restraint over drama. Surely, there’s still the characteristic dejection of all the band’s music to be found in here, even in these predominantly sunny tributes to the city of Lisbon, but there is also a remarkable feeling that the band is always in control, and always refusing to give in to the highly dramatic. This is a band entirely comfortable with its art, ready to take its listeners into desolation, into romance, and into the things we cannot even begin to remember.
Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
The songs in here are good. At times, they are absurdly good. It almost seems unfair. Sections of it stretch into some of the most riveting popular music imaginable. The writing here by far transcends the earlier work of Gorillaz and what seemed like a temporary collaborative conceit of a sort finally seems to be coming into its own. I was also impressed by the mostly seamless way in which the guest performers were integrated into the album. But it’s hard to do it very much justice with words. In its best moments, Plastic Beach is both forward-thinking and inviting. Most of all, it’s incredibly exquisite. Pop music doesn’t get much more beautiful than this.
Contra by Vampire Weekend
I went into this album expecting it to suffer from Second Album Syndrome in some way or another, but that’s basically about the only way it disappoints me. Somewhat more complex and varied than their debut album, Contra builds upon their hook-making talents and simple brand of pop, taking their chirpy and distinctive sound one level higher. I think it’s impossible not to like Vampire Weekend in some way. Even if you don’t quite like the lyrics (okay, I admit to thinking that one or two lines seem quite tepid) or overwhelming sonic simplicity, the band will probably prove infectious one way or another. Admittedly, one foresees a more unpredictable future for the lads: surely they will delve into uncharted territory in the future. For now, though, their exuberant ditties remain a welcome breath of fresh air.
Forget by Twin Shadow
Along with The ArchAndroid, Forget appears to be one of the most outstanding debuts of the year. Built on a foundation of clever synth and distorted guitars (and excellent writing), it feels like the very best Eighties music. Yet, it also avoids sounding derivative, with a careful complexity and heartfelt sincerity in each of these narratives. It’s an album that can be listened to over and over again (I did!). And it should be, not simply because it’s so enjoyable, but also because it can prove richly rewarding.
High Violet by The National
Well, to throw in a bit of cliche, can the National do no wrong? Rich and bolder than anything they’ve done before, High Violet stands as a progressive step for the band, greater in ambition, more accomplished in realisation. To my mind, there’s very little question that this is their best work yet, which is really saying something. High Violet is astounding, in turns aggressive, dark, and celebratory, but always betraying shades of a revelation.
Ali and Toumani by Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté
Ali Farka Touré was probably one of the greatest musicians in the world at the time of his death about four years ago. In this album, we find some of his last recordings that picks up from where the 2005 collaborative album between Touré and Diabaté left off. It proves to be an intimate record, with Touré’s guitar working an impeccable chemistry with Diabaté’s kora into something absolutely arresting. And there is something to be said about Touré’s vocal work on some of the tracks as well: it is the voice of a man palpably and consciously pronouncing the last words of his life. A beautiful record in more ways than I can say.
Teen Dream by Beach House
Easily one of the best albums of the year, Teen Dream plays like, well, a dream. It is a remarkable achievement that stands very tall in a year of very good music. It’s an unforgettable piece of work in so many ways, from the exceptional performances to the startlingly brilliant ideas, from its lyrical glow to its haunting beauty. Frankly, Teen Dream leads one through a landscape of sheer genius. With breathtaking etherealness, warmth, and more than a hint of sadness, it sucks you in and refuses to let go. Gorgeous.
This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
There is, of course, basically no doubt that James Murphy can write, but with This Is Happening, it seems to me that he’s become quite the performer as well. Murphy’s self-awareness goes well past his self-deprecative wit and into an introspective vulnerability in this new album. And the rest of the story? Well, it’s primo LCD Soundsystem, as you might expect. He takes on the likes of the Berlin Trilogy and he doesn’t even flinch. And why would you need to when you can make music that sounds this good?
Before Today by Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
This is Haunted Graffiti’s most accessible album to date, and it also happens to be one that you will be replaying over and over again. The impressive design of these songs grab you right from the get-go. The band hasn’t lost any of its quirky charm, but there’s a definite dose of familiarity here. Before Today reinterprets–or even reinvents–classic Seventies music in Haunted Graffiti’s humble and charming manner, and emerges with some of the best individual songs I’ve heard this year.
The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) by Janelle Monáe
It wouldn’t be unreasonable to suspect an album that covers such diverse musical terrain with its immense range of influences and the musician’s impossible appetite for experimentation. As it stands, however, The ArchAndroid is a dizzying display of virtuosity that doesn’t land on its face primarily because of the talent and charisma of Janelle Monáe. It’s a mesmerising debut that mixes together science fiction, myth, and Afrofuturist themes with spectacular aplomb. It reminds me of Prince at his very best, only perhaps a little crazier, perhaps a little bolder. This album pushes its soul roots as far as the framework will allow, and even into areas that it won’t allow. This genre-bending creation is a thing both new and wonderful, and a shot in the arm that mainstream pop music really needs.
Swim by Caribou
An exceptionally addictive album, Swim is characterised by an urgent need for invention, but also a deft touch. There is an obvious simplicity that underlies the good bulk of these tracks, and then it’s like making a gorgeous cake, building up layer upon layer of attractive hooks and intriguing sounds into a thrilling whole. It may be awfully difficult to follow up an album like Andorra successfully, but Caribou has somehow managed to do so with aplomb.
The Broken Dreams Club EP by Girls
I began this list with the longest item in the list, and I’m going to end it with the shortest one. The American duo returned this year not with a full-length album (oh if only!), but with a rather beefy EP that I fell in love with instantly. Critics always compare the band’s sound to the likes of Buddy Holly and the Beach Boys, and that’s certainly a useful point-of-view, but I think we can all agree that there’s something novel and interesting going on here. Broken Dreams Club continues from the heartbreaking pop perfection of Album and almost walks casually into new terrain. Closing track “Carolina” reminds me most of Sonic Youth, and I think that that’s telling. This is an EP that showcases the duo ready to expand stylistically. At the same time, the songs here (all six of them!) are thrilling, heartbreaking, and rendered to perfection, as one would expect. It’s an EP that sparkles. Simply brilliant.
Bonus Track
There were a few albums that I really liked this year but I just didn’t have the space for on this list, and I thought I’d mention some of them:
- The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
- Heartland by Owen Pallett
- Royal Toast by The Claudia Quintet
- Small Craft on a Milk Sea by Brian Eno
- The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
- Band of Joy by Robert Plant
Well, that’s all I’ve got, and I hope you find something new to like here. Here’s to a comparably excellent 2011!
d
Kino Kitty
I popped by at Kinokuniya very briefly on Wednesday to do the last of my main Christmas shopping and came across this little collectible. I bought one. I somehow can’t resist Kinokuniya merchandise.
It’s a Trexi toy [site] produced by Play Imaginative and it retails for $13.90. If you’re a member you get 30% off which makes it about ten bucks. It’s about three inches tall. Limbs are articulated so it’s poseable to some degree. The top half of the head is removable so that you can change its expression [see here]. I didn’t photograph the other face, but it’s cuter, I think. The red eyes can get a little freaky. But otherwise I quite like it.
Meanwhile, I also went to the National Museum that day in the wonderful company of Huitian. The Pompeii exhibition is pretty good, but it might have been better if both of us had had a little more sleep.
Most of my Christmas shopping is done. Plans for the new site are becoming more concrete. FYP sees a bit of progress (not enough maybe) but I’ll keep at it. Oh and I have a new monitor; the old one had some problems.
Also, I’ll have to plug the new Humble Indie Bundle. [via Humble Indie Bundle] Five excellent games (well I haven’t played all of them, but that’s as far as I can tell) under a name-your-price scheme (DRM-free and available for Windows, Mac and Linux too) with the proceeds going to charity. What else could you ask for? I remember the first bundle being excellent and having great service too, which I was not expecting at all. (They’ve recently negotiated for activation on Steam, for instance.) So give them your support, do some charity, get one for yourself and some for your friends, so we can all have a merry Christmas.
d
Cars, Mahler, Sleep
Wow, I’m so tired today. It’s not as if I usually don’t sleep so little, so I can’t really explain it.
Yesterday, I bought Gran Turismo 5 and realised how bad I am at driving fast cars. Thankfully, you can’t kill anyone in Gran Turismo. It’s quite a pretty game, though I’m no racing simulator conoisseur, so I can’t really comment on the little I’ve played so far. I think it’s the sort of game that is going to keep me company for a very, very long time. I just want to randomly start it up and do some driving. No completionist pressure and no great impulse to master the game. I’ll just take it at my own pace and get what I want out of it. Which makes me wonder if I should invest in a good wheel or a very good wheel. The monetary difference is… rather substantial.
I added a new Mahler to my collection. This one is Symphony No. 9 by the Berliner Philharmoniker and conducted by Claudio Abbado. I listened to it once this morning. I always loved No. 9. It is one of the most extraordinary and otherworldly pieces of music in the last century.
Apart from that I’ve been listening to:
- Neon Bible (Arcade Fire)
- Distant Relatives (Nas and Damian Marley)
- Jukebox (Cat Power)
- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenis (Phoenix)
My FYP goes on. I went to school on Sunday to do a little work, and it was the first time I’d been in school on a Sunday. It was a strange feeling, but I liked it because there wasn’t anyone around. It’s nice to be able to work alone now and then. Not that I don’t like people. … Just saying.
I’m going to think about my new website for the rest of the night and hope something comes together. Then I’ll arrange an appointment or two, think futilely about watching football, and collapse into a pile.
Hopefully I get some good sleep tonight.
d
