Top 10 of '10

Though it may be slightly premature, there don't seem to be any albums coming out within the next 6 weeks that would shake up my favorite albums of the year. Plus, it would be a bold statement to place an album among the best of the year without thoroughly listening to it. Unless Radiohead really surprises us (me) and finishes their latest album before year end, here are my favorite albums of the year:

10. Minus the Bear - OMNI

9. Los Campesinos - Romance is Boring

8. Ray Lamontagne - God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise

7. Deftones - Diamond Eyes

6. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

5. Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

4. Arcade Fire - Suburbs

3. The Black Keys - Brothers

2. Spoon - Transference

1. Beach House - Teen Dream

Diamond Eyes

Some 22 years ago a group of high schoolers were learning how to play their instruments in a garage, as many aspiring musicians do to this day. Six years later, this same group of guys released their first full length album. Four more albums and sixteen years pass, and the once garage band from Sacramento has their fans eagerly anticipating the release of their sixth album.

While I do not consider myself a rock-metal enthusiast, I have enjoyed following the Deftones over the years. The group's versatility is made more and more apparent with each subsequent album release.  And Chino Moreno (lead vocalist) is the most captivating vocalist among his genre.  While the band has experienced nothing but success from day one, they are also familiar with loss... as bassist, Chi Cheng, remains in critical condition as a result from a car accident (over a year ago).  But the other members of the group use their tragedy (as all musicians do) as inspiration.

As I explore the latest release by Deftones, I notice influence of each of the bands prior albums serving as muse for the Diamond Eyes.  And for those who immediately dismiss anything by Deftones simply due to their genre; I suggest you listen to "Beauty School" and/or "Sextape". Both songs omit the prototypical "yelling" that deters many to venture away from their comfort zone and listen to a band classified as "metal". I promise, you shan't be disappointed.

Beach House - Teen Dream

The third album release from Beach House, Teen Dream, has been my favorite album 2010 and the review is long overdue. After buying the album on a whim, I was instantly rewarded. The most simple description of Teen Dream is comparing it to daydreaming. Whether or not my description is simply my subconscious forming this idea, coming from the name of the band and album, is up for debate. But, even so, there is much about the sound and mood being created that justifies this conclusion.

Victoria Legend's vocals echo throughout most of the songs creating a lofty, etherel feel, one that reminds me of Swimming by The French Kicks. This, combined with the simplistic, yet melodic guitar and keyboards fading in and out, creates a mood that personifies daydreaming. While at first glance, one might assume the album to be juvenile, mostly due to the word "teen" appearing in the title, the album is in fact, very mature. Lyrically, the album touches on subjects of lost love, the inabilities to commit, and even the futility of love altogether. However, it is not a bleek or hopeless theme throughout the album, but a back and forth between the two emotions that seem to play off each other. Regardless the actual message of each song, continuity is maintained by the mood. From start to finish, one can get lost in the sound and catch themselves drifting away, being carried solely by Legend's vocals.

After having listened to Teen Dream several times through within the first day of owning it, I made the bold statement that this album will be one of the best of the entire year. It will be an album perfectly suited for the approaching summer months, being listened to in the car with the windows down and feeling the warmth of the sun, truly completing an ideal mood. I only hope that being released so early in 2010 does not hinder Beach House when the critics come to chose their elite of the year.

9.5/10

Copeland's farewell tour

It has been a while since I've reviewed any albums, and there has been some very good music released in the past few months. However, the above picture is from Saturday night, March 13th - Copeland's farewell show in Pontiac, MI. This was my third time seeing Copeland live and it was their best performance. Aaron Marsh, the frontman of Copeland, amazes me each time I see him perform. The range and quality of his vocals are, in my opinion, unparalleled among the indie-rock/pop genre. While many indie-rock bands became notorious for their compromised quality of vocals, Copeland stood apart.

The setlist contained a variety of songs from their first album released in 2000 all the way to their newest release from 2009. Personally, the highlight of the show was hearing "When Paula Sparks" and seamlessly transitioning into "California" (with a slight twist). The Crofoot in Pontiac was packed full as fans watched from above and below as Copeland said goodbye to Michigan. Many have never heard of the florida based group, but their following was made apparent that night as the crowd provided backup vocals (and took the lead twice) throughout the brief, two minute "Brightest".

Few bands today are able to create such an endearing sound as Copeland. They're honesty and passion are littered over each of their albums, but they still are able to rock out and get your pulse racing. There is no doubt that they will be missed, but fans will be eagerly anticipating new projects to come from each of the members.

Best of 2009

At first glance, '09 may seem like a fairly disappointing year for music fans (beyond the obvious releases from Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear). However, for those up for the challenge, there were many gems to be discovered throughout the final year of this decade. Quality albums from; The Antlers, Decemberists, Manchester Orchestra, and Brand New all appeared to be mediocre, overly-hyped releases. But when each has been given adequate time to be digested - calling any of them 'mediocre' would be false. Unfortunately, it appears '09 did not have many indie/alternative albums which will be universally accepted due to their style, genre, and mass appeal.

So, without further ado, the top 10 albums of 2009:


10. The Decemberists - Hazzards of Love

9. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

8. Silversun Pickups - Swoon

7. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

6. Sleeping at Last - Storyboards

5. Russian Circles - Geneva

4. The Antlers - Hospice

3. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

2. Animal Collective - Meriweather Post-Pavilion

1. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing

Update on best albums of '09

As the end of 2009 approaches quickly, there are a few albums I've had to add to my top 10 list (well, the 9 on the list).

While I anticipated Brand New's Daisy to easily be one of the top 10 albums of the year, I'm still waiting for it to sink in with me. As of right now, it's hard for me to put it up there, but I'm still hoping after many listens that I'm able to truly appreciate this album.

Another album I recently fell in love with is Hospice by The Antlers. I had read multiple reviews which praise this album, though this is not the sole reason for me to add it to my list. Over the last week I've had this album on repeat, and I've discovered something new each listen - definitely one of the top 5 (as of today) of '09 in my opinion.

I was pleasantly surprised when Russian Circles released their third album late this year, and I have loved every moment of Geneva. There is no doubt that this release will be in my top 10, though it will be difficult deciding on where it ranks in my book.

A possible dark horse on my list of 2009 is from a local band - The Summer Pledge. The easiest way to describe their first full length album, You are you, would be to categorize them as instrumental/experimental/indie. The majority of the album is sans vocals, there are several songs which incorporate them - though they still remain second to the melodies created by the guitars and percussion. The ethereal voice coming in and out of the tracks gives the album a much different feel - one that reminded me of The Appleseed Cast's Sagarmatha.

http://www.gimmesound.com/thesummerpledge/

I had been anticipating a full length release from Minus the Bear - especially after being addicted to the single "Into the Mirror", though it appears this album will not be available until 2010. So for now, it seems that my list is starting to solidify, except for the even more difficult task of organizing and ranking these albums...whoa is me.

Russian Circles - Geneva

With the release of their third album, Russian Circles continue to redefine the already ambiguous genre of 'post-rock'. Geneva is the most complete and well rounded album of the three (the others being Enter and Station).

The inclusion of strings give Geneva a much more mature sound than most of the typical post-rock albums. The entire genre of post-rock is built around the idea of creating tracks that are 10 minutes long, and are structured around the "build, build, explode" theme. Russian Circles has clearly made a movement away from the typical design nearly all post-rock groups utilize. In the first track "Fathom", we hear an unusual intro for a rock album - violins. It's only seconds later when we hear the masterful drumming of Dave Turncrantz, who really puts on a show in this album. From here we believe the track is on course - slowly climbing, making the listener believe there will be a climax at the end. But instead of allowing us to indulge and plummet over the edge after the journey up, the group backs off and the track fades as it entered - with lone violins.

While one could argue that the listener is left unsatisfied without having the typical peak point in the track, I believe it only solidifies the band's position as pioneers and true experimental musicians. It would be much easier to use the "cookie-cutter" format to apply to each track - and while the album would still be a success, it would not be artful or even experimental. However, the album is not without its parts of hard riffs and multiple loops we have come to love - but instead of being one dimensional, this album seems to touch upon multiple emotions, the sound is constantly changing without even being able to notice. This album could be the soundtrack for almost anyone's life - as it conjures up thoughts and emotions from one extreme to another.

Though most any post-rock album doesn't produce any singles, if there were to be one track pulled out from Geneva, it would be "Malko". The 4 and a half minute track opens with an addicting sound looping and gradually getting louder before the drums chime in, and sounds are added and taken away almost every other stanza. The sheer intricacies of Turncrantz's drumming are enough consider this track a mind-grenade, let alone the complexity of the track itself. However, as nearly every instrumental album, listening to only one track is hardly adequate. "Malko" is simply one of the high points in the album, perhaps this track symbolizes the "climax" we seek in every song, yet we are only given this "high" once in the album - and when we step back and look at the album at a whole, we see the real brilliance intended.

While I have always been a fan of Russian Circles, and got hooked on them back when I stumbled across Enter, I believe they have become the face for an entire genre of music. Though most people think of Mogwai, Pelican, and Godspeed...., as the poster child for post-rock, I believe this trio will be the ones that set the standard for years to come, and Geneva will be an album to look to. Whether or not you agree, I believe one of the most impressive aspects of this group is the fact that they have but 3 musicians (not counting the occasional appearances of the violins and other strings). Most post-rock bands are comprised of at least 5 members, but can get as large as 20 (GY!BE). The fact that 3 people are able to create as complete a sound as 20 is impressive enough, let alone the assertion that they're creating something better than the 20. Either way, Russian Circles are creating something worth listening to, I'd recommend you check it out.

9/10