St.Nic

My Favorite Music of 2010 (yesiknowitslate)

When I tell people I market for a digital music technology company, I often get a touch on the arm and a sympathetic look, like, “how is that going?”  as though I’ve just shared bad news.  The notion of a weak music industry is such a flawed mainstream perception that its almost funny.  I’m consistently overwhelmed by the sheer volume of incredible albums coming out every year.  I managed to see 33 shows in 2010, not counting festivals, and most of the tickets weren’t more than $20. Music is easier to discover, share and support than ever.   New playlists powered my long runs on trails in the Santa Monica mountains, inflamed passionate, hyperbole-infused dialogue in Topspin’s office year-round and generally forced me on my feet when I didn’t feel like moving.  Suffice it to say, I’m grouchy when I can’t find my iPod. ;)

I know I’m late to the party, and I didn’t put my favorite albums of 2010 in any ranked order.  But how do you compare Robyn and Ratatat anyway?  

Bonobo – Black Sands

This was neck and neck with Pantha du Prince – Black Noise and Scuba - Triangulation, two other near-perfect records of ambient beats.  (If you loved Burial – Untrue, you can’t go wrong with Scuba’s dubstep release.)  Bonobo won out with the flawless Black Sands.  The vocal cuts featuring Andreya Triana soar.  Shout out to Leslie and friends at Ninja Tune, one of my favorite labels to explore for essential new music.

Bonobo ‘Black Sands’ Album Mini Mix by Ninja Tune & Big Dada

Black Noise by Pantha du Prince

Ratatat – IV

Its amazing that Ratatat’s sound has stayed so consistent while losing none of the appeal.  If you didn’t love Ratatat before you probably won’t like them now, but if you’re a fan of their production, this album is five stars.  I’d wager IV got me through no less than 50 collective running miles last year. When I got tired this record propelled better than GU. 

PS – Ever stared at the flames in the fireplace for a weirdly long time before you snapped out of it?  This stupid bird is as hypnotizing.  Don’t watch this video if you have anything else to do.   

John Grant – Queen of Denmark

Thanks to Ian Rogers for championing this one and turning me on to it.  If 2009 was the year that Ian & I both got addicted to Let’s Wrestle then 2010 we found parity in our passion for John Grant. I can’t remember the last time I heard something that conveyed this level of raw emotion in such a haunting and beautiful way. 

John Grant - Chicken Bones from Bella Union on Vimeo

The National – High Violet

The National and I have enjoyed an estranged relationship before High Violet.  I loved a few of their songs but found them kind of dull overall.  This record changed my mind.  I listened to it three times driving from L.A. to San Francisco.  It’s a gorgeous alt-rock album.  It might not have the first-listen stick of Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs but it’s a tight collection of powerful rock melodies. 

Interpol – Interpol

I converted friends into fans of this band in 2010.  I always loved them but “Lights” helped me bring more to my side.  This record is testament to Interpol’s complex song structures.  It’s dark with a slow but powerful build.  Maybe even insidious, in the best possible way.   It wasn’t a popular album at first but I’ve heard more than one person become surprised when it affects them.  Put it on simmer and see what happens.

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Its on every best-of list, rightfully so.  This record is a masterpiece. And the band’s extraordinary video for the pounding “We Used to Wait,” with its GoogleMaps view of my very-own neighborhood in Windham, NH,  made me feel nostalgic and emotional like no video I can recall. (www.thewildernessdowntown.com)

Menomena – Mines

You know how people say “grey is the new black?”  My Topspin homie Jen Robinson & I would say, “Is [X record] the new Menomena?”  meaning, we can’t stop listening to it.  Because we couldn’t stop listening to Mines. Don’t sleep on this one!  It’s not on anyone’s best-of list and sweet Jesus, it should be. 

Menomena - Five Little Rooms 

Robyn – Body Talk

Yeah Robyn!  You go dance on your own.  You show your ex-boyfriend you don’t care that he’s dancing with someone else.  

Fact: Guys love guitar solos.  Girls love Robyn.

Jonsi – GO

An achingly beautiful collection of songs from Sigur Ros member Jonsi.  I was lucky enough to see GO performed live at the El Rey.  It was one of the most amazing and moving concert experiences in recent memory.   Get the ‘Go - Live’ DVD and CD. 

Portugal. The Man – American Ghetto and Avi Buffalo – Avi Buffalo

I bought the deluxe versions of both records from Topspin and then gave the CDs away to one of my best friends, who hadn’t heard of either band.  He’s now a huge fan of both, and a big crew of us spent Halloween at the Portugal. The Man show in L.A.  I’ve yet to see Avi Buffalo live but they’re high on my list for 2011. 

Lindstrøm and Christabelle – Life is No Cool

I mean, come ON. Listen to that funky opening salvo on the supersexy “High and Low.”  Warning: your clothes might just start falling off when you put on this track.  Throw down “Lovesick” and “Keep it Up” too.  Crazy-slick production courtesy of Norwegian nu-disco wunderkind Lindstrøm. (Think I can get away with Nicøle?)

MISC…

Aeroplane – 500th Essential Mix - Live at Circus Liverpool

From my favorite series on the BBC, Pete Tong’s Essential Mix on Radio 1, comes this blistering set from Aeroplane. Don’t even try to resist the Italo-disco.  Plus, Marcos Cabral and Shux ‘Life Time Groove,’ making an appearance 1:30 into the mix, is insanity. 

Aeroplane - 500th Essential Mix (Live from Circus Liverpool) by Aeroplane (Official)

Tensnake – “Coma Cat”

I don’t know where Tensnake came from but he ripped up the dance and DJ charts ev-ery-where.  This deep, deep Tensnake original production was an essential mix selection too many times to count.  Its so effing good.

Tensnake “Coma Cat” EP coming Jan 25th on Permanent Vacation by Tensnake

Salem – “King’s Night”

If this track is “witch house,” then paint me green and call me Elphaba.  

Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith – “Not In Love”

Its no secret I love anything that blends 80s New Wave and synthy, minor-key electronica. Pull in Robert Smith for a gothy ‘Platinum Blonde’ cover and it isn’t even fair. 

XOXO.

‘Music is the Answer.’  :)  

EDITED, WHATIFORGOT -  Okay I totally forgot to put Caribou, Yeasayer and Frightened Rabbit on this list, all with new records I loved this year and they should definitely be up there.  

I did *not* forget Tame Impala, Wavves, Joanna Newsom, Vampire Weekend or Best Coast, each of which I listened to a little but couldn’t find a holding.  And I wicked love about half the songs on the new releases from LCD Soundsystem and Kanye. But, only half.  :)