Friends,
There is an old saying that states "Better Late than Never." Well, after 2011 has long ago graced us by, I have finally decided to display my top albums of that year. My 2011 year in review has taken a copious amount of time to write due to my desire to listen to more music than I could even find time to properly review. Hence, a majority of 2012 was actually spent listening to the fine music of 2011, which will delay my 2012 review into 2013.
I write to those of you who consider themselves as musical connoisseurs and/or curious beings. I strongly encourage you to listen to any album with an 8 or higher due to the beauty in the artist's creation. However, due to the lack of objectivity in music, I certainly understand if some of my musical selection does not satisfy your musical pallet. To those of you who find LMFAO, Maroon 5, Justin Bieber or other pop superstars as inspirational music, I warn you that you may become fearful of some of these "hipster" bands with peculiar names and album artwork. Nevertheless, I once again encourage you to continue reading, and perhaps you will find yourself inspired to try out some new tunes.
Friends, I encourage you to sit back, relax, grab a beverage of choice, and begin to read my music reviews written specially for those of us who lack an attention span to read anything longer than a paragraph. While reading, I recommend having iTunes open and then listen to the most popular songs on each album (I do not explicitly list my favorite songs on each album to promote listening to the album in its entirety). 2011 was a top-notch music year, and I hope that you find some of these albums as captivating as I have.
Ranking System:
10: The Immaculate Album
9: Universal Acclaim (Years later, album will be played)
8: Memorable Performance (Plays will die down)
7: Sufficient (Plays will minimize in 2012)
6: Near-Average
...1: Horrendous
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
2011 Year in Music: The List
#1 Hurry Up, We're Dreaming by M83
9.8/10
To some, a double album packed with 22 songs would be considered excessive. However, after one listen, I found myself enchanted by the dream world intricately created with varying electronic soundscapes by Anthony Gonzalez of M83. Each song blends magnificently into the next, and substantial climaxes and lulls bring the listener into a gleeful subconsciousness. If you enjoy M83's popular hit Midnight City, then I strongly recommend further exploration into the double album where it resides.
#2 Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
9.7/10
Dynamic duos: Batman and Robin. Calvin and Hobbes. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. And now, in 2011, hip-hop superstars Kanye West and Jay-Z. 'Ye and Jay created an opus that stunningly portrays America's urban environment through their clever rhyming schemes and diverse sound (brass overtures, dubstep, R&B outpouring etc). At times, 'Ye and Jay seem to unnecessarily boast about their fame and fortune. Nevertheless, when these two preach about racism and poverty, suburban and urban America alike need to heed their words and examine our world through their hardened eyes.
#3 Bon Iver by Bon Iver
9.6/10
Bon Iver, the famous "Lone Wolf" creator of For Emma, Forever Ago, created a stunning sophomore album where he finds himself surrounded by other gifted musicians. Like M83's album before it, frontman Justin Vernon creates a symphonic masterpiece, bringing the listener on a journey through emotional aural environments. Although Bon Iver (in my mind) has been excessively abused due to the over-plays by coffee shops, climbing walls, and other hipster locales around the US, Bon Iver's album still brings awe when listened in the right environment.
#4 The King of Limbs by Radiohead
9.1/10
A new Radiohead direction should have been no surprise to me: when grunge sounding Pablo Honey was popular, brit-pop The Bends followed; when rock-revival OK Computer dominated the music scene, chaotic and electronic successor Kid A revolutionized their sound for years to come. However, when King of Limbs followed the nearly immaculate In Rainbows, I was not prepared for the new direction of Radiohead's sound.
Although Radiohead's sound completely changed, the meticulousness of Radiohead’s compositions remained in the King of Limbs. Their album meticulousness is why this band is so sensational: each listen provides a new sound that was never heard before. The King of Limbs seems to be perfectly fit for a record player: side A (first four tracks) is chaotically layered with various electronic sounds and rhythms while side B (final four tracks) is filled with beautiful, slower-paced masterpieces. Although this album is no In Rainbows, the King of Limbs is certainly one of the most memorable albums of 2011, and it proudly continues the tradition of Radiohead revolutionizing their sound by being The King[s] of [Album] Whims.
#5 El Camino by The Black Keys
9.0/10
Lead singer / guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney are known by some as the “saviors of rock”, and their bluesy, grunge, garage-band sound is an aural delicacy to anyone who loves music. El Camino truly is a joy to listen too; in fact, the album seems to be just like a ride through the inner city in the woody van on the cover--although its muffler is a little loud and it bounces around each turn, it is a trip that you will certainly never forget.
#6 Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes
8.7/10
After the successes of the debut EP Sun Giant and their self-titled first album, Seattle’s Fleet Foxes return with their sophomore album Helplessness Blues. Unlike the joyous escapade through mountain heights and vibrant green valleys that the Fleet Foxes took their listeners through on their debut album, Helplessness Blues takes the listener on a new, darker adventure through what feels like dense, gloomy forests and vast, dry deserts. The Fleet Foxes album is certainly one of the year’s finest: these talented artists can send your mind to landscapes that no other artists today can conjure. Yet, the lack of joy that was stunningly prevalent on their debut album leaves the listener with little memory of what they just listened to--like an enjoyable dream that becomes easily forgotten after being up for an hour.
#7 Angles by The Strokes
8.5/10
Nearly ten years after their successful debut album Is This It was released, the Strokes released their fourth album Angles during turbulent times in their band. The first four songs trick the listener into thinking that the Strokes have triumphantly returned; however, the latter tracks paralyze the album from being the impressive comeback desired by fans.
#8 Circuital by My Morning Foxes
8.4/10
My Morning Jacket created a dark, sing-along album that is enjoyable for all listeners. Yet, upon multiple listens, the lack of sound diversity and theme cohesiveness plague this album from being outstanding.
#9 Undun by The Roots
8.3/10
The Roots create a concept album that goes through the life of a troubled, gangster youth in reverse chronological order. The theme of the album is brilliant; the execution of the theme was less impressive. Further listens are needed to determine whether this album is a success or a flop.
#10 The King is Dead by The Decemberists
8.1/10
The Americana sound beautifully brings the listener through the serene valleys, crystal mountains, and dense forests of Oregon. Nevertheless, the slight weakness in this album has to do with the lack of sound diversity in the album, resulting in the album to lack an emotional, symphony-style sensation when listened to.
#11 Lasers by Lupe Fiasco
7.9/10
Lupe Fiasco toys too much towards infamous pop-rap that has made Flo-Rida and Pitbull so popular: instead of the rap lyrics being memorable, the only enjoyable segment of the music is the catchy chorus.
#12 Nine Types of Light by TV on the Radio
7.8/10
While Dear Science produced the emotion a driver felt when maneuvering with a lead foot around four lanes of traffic in the middle of the day in Atlanta, Dear Science’s successor Nine Types of Light sounds like this driver has turned on the blinker, shifted back into the right lane, and proceeded in the right lane going the speed limit.
#13 Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay
7.5/10
In my opinion, Mylo Xyloto was 2011's major flop. Mylo Xyloto feels as if Coldplay traded the emotional depth of their sound prevalent in prior albums (Viva la Vida, A Rush of Blood to the Head) for the alternative of being more radio friendly to please the masses. After many listens, I came to the reality that this album is "Piti-Piti-Pitiful", not the "Para-Para-Paradise" I was hoping for.
#14 Take Care by Drake
7.4/10
I cannot understand why many music reviewers rave about Drake's sophomore debut. Although I enjoyed many songs on this album, Take Care lacks a cohesive structure and is plagued by its excessive length.
#15 Collapse into Now by R.E.M.
7.2/10
R.E.M.'s final album is everything but a collapse into retirement. Collapse into Now certainly is not R.E.M.’s best (how do you overcome Murmur and Automatic for the People’s success?), but it happens to be the perfect culmination album for a rock-n’-roll hall of fame band because the contingent of Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills end their respective careers on what they historically have done best for the past four decades: rocking out.
To some, a double album packed with 22 songs would be considered excessive. However, after one listen, I found myself enchanted by the dream world intricately created with varying electronic soundscapes by Anthony Gonzalez of M83. Each song blends magnificently into the next, and substantial climaxes and lulls bring the listener into a gleeful subconsciousness. If you enjoy M83's popular hit Midnight City, then I strongly recommend further exploration into the double album where it resides.
#2 Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Dynamic duos: Batman and Robin. Calvin and Hobbes. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. And now, in 2011, hip-hop superstars Kanye West and Jay-Z. 'Ye and Jay created an opus that stunningly portrays America's urban environment through their clever rhyming schemes and diverse sound (brass overtures, dubstep, R&B outpouring etc). At times, 'Ye and Jay seem to unnecessarily boast about their fame and fortune. Nevertheless, when these two preach about racism and poverty, suburban and urban America alike need to heed their words and examine our world through their hardened eyes.
#3 Bon Iver by Bon Iver
Bon Iver, the famous "Lone Wolf" creator of For Emma, Forever Ago, created a stunning sophomore album where he finds himself surrounded by other gifted musicians. Like M83's album before it, frontman Justin Vernon creates a symphonic masterpiece, bringing the listener on a journey through emotional aural environments. Although Bon Iver (in my mind) has been excessively abused due to the over-plays by coffee shops, climbing walls, and other hipster locales around the US, Bon Iver's album still brings awe when listened in the right environment.
#4 The King of Limbs by Radiohead
A new Radiohead direction should have been no surprise to me: when grunge sounding Pablo Honey was popular, brit-pop The Bends followed; when rock-revival OK Computer dominated the music scene, chaotic and electronic successor Kid A revolutionized their sound for years to come. However, when King of Limbs followed the nearly immaculate In Rainbows, I was not prepared for the new direction of Radiohead's sound.
Although Radiohead's sound completely changed, the meticulousness of Radiohead’s compositions remained in the King of Limbs. Their album meticulousness is why this band is so sensational: each listen provides a new sound that was never heard before. The King of Limbs seems to be perfectly fit for a record player: side A (first four tracks) is chaotically layered with various electronic sounds and rhythms while side B (final four tracks) is filled with beautiful, slower-paced masterpieces. Although this album is no In Rainbows, the King of Limbs is certainly one of the most memorable albums of 2011, and it proudly continues the tradition of Radiohead revolutionizing their sound by being The King[s] of [Album] Whims.
#5 El Camino by The Black Keys
Lead singer / guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney are known by some as the “saviors of rock”, and their bluesy, grunge, garage-band sound is an aural delicacy to anyone who loves music. El Camino truly is a joy to listen too; in fact, the album seems to be just like a ride through the inner city in the woody van on the cover--although its muffler is a little loud and it bounces around each turn, it is a trip that you will certainly never forget.
#6 Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes
After the successes of the debut EP Sun Giant and their self-titled first album, Seattle’s Fleet Foxes return with their sophomore album Helplessness Blues. Unlike the joyous escapade through mountain heights and vibrant green valleys that the Fleet Foxes took their listeners through on their debut album, Helplessness Blues takes the listener on a new, darker adventure through what feels like dense, gloomy forests and vast, dry deserts. The Fleet Foxes album is certainly one of the year’s finest: these talented artists can send your mind to landscapes that no other artists today can conjure. Yet, the lack of joy that was stunningly prevalent on their debut album leaves the listener with little memory of what they just listened to--like an enjoyable dream that becomes easily forgotten after being up for an hour.
#7 Angles by The Strokes
Nearly ten years after their successful debut album Is This It was released, the Strokes released their fourth album Angles during turbulent times in their band. The first four songs trick the listener into thinking that the Strokes have triumphantly returned; however, the latter tracks paralyze the album from being the impressive comeback desired by fans.
#8 Circuital by My Morning Foxes
8.4/10
My Morning Jacket created a dark, sing-along album that is enjoyable for all listeners. Yet, upon multiple listens, the lack of sound diversity and theme cohesiveness plague this album from being outstanding.
#9 Undun by The Roots
The Roots create a concept album that goes through the life of a troubled, gangster youth in reverse chronological order. The theme of the album is brilliant; the execution of the theme was less impressive. Further listens are needed to determine whether this album is a success or a flop.
#10 The King is Dead by The Decemberists
The Americana sound beautifully brings the listener through the serene valleys, crystal mountains, and dense forests of Oregon. Nevertheless, the slight weakness in this album has to do with the lack of sound diversity in the album, resulting in the album to lack an emotional, symphony-style sensation when listened to.
#11 Lasers by Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco toys too much towards infamous pop-rap that has made Flo-Rida and Pitbull so popular: instead of the rap lyrics being memorable, the only enjoyable segment of the music is the catchy chorus.
#12 Nine Types of Light by TV on the Radio
7.8/10
While Dear Science produced the emotion a driver felt when maneuvering with a lead foot around four lanes of traffic in the middle of the day in Atlanta, Dear Science’s successor Nine Types of Light sounds like this driver has turned on the blinker, shifted back into the right lane, and proceeded in the right lane going the speed limit.
#13 Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay
7.5/10
In my opinion, Mylo Xyloto was 2011's major flop. Mylo Xyloto feels as if Coldplay traded the emotional depth of their sound prevalent in prior albums (Viva la Vida, A Rush of Blood to the Head) for the alternative of being more radio friendly to please the masses. After many listens, I came to the reality that this album is "Piti-Piti-Pitiful", not the "Para-Para-Paradise" I was hoping for.
#14 Take Care by Drake
I cannot understand why many music reviewers rave about Drake's sophomore debut. Although I enjoyed many songs on this album, Take Care lacks a cohesive structure and is plagued by its excessive length.
#15 Collapse into Now by R.E.M.
R.E.M.'s final album is everything but a collapse into retirement. Collapse into Now certainly is not R.E.M.’s best (how do you overcome Murmur and Automatic for the People’s success?), but it happens to be the perfect culmination album for a rock-n’-roll hall of fame band because the contingent of Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills end their respective careers on what they historically have done best for the past four decades: rocking out.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Slim's Spotlight
Welcome to Slim's Spotlight. I was inspired by some friends to start a blog on what music I enjoy, so I decided to create this blog so you could keep up with what Lucas Timmer is listening to. Before you go on and start reading this blog, let me give some ground rules:
1) Don't feel like you need to read the review for every album. Pick one or two, read them and move on.
2) While reading, I recommend clicking on the youtube clips that I have at the bottom of each song. Not only will this make your reading experience more enjoyable, but it also could help you discover a band or a song that you really enjoy.
3) If you could, comment on what I wrote. I love feedback, and it makes my job more rewarding if I hear what you think from my reviews and it encourages me to write more.
4) Check out the polls on the bottom and the other youtube videos by these artists.
5) Be attentive when reading my post. Ponder it in your thoughts the same way Corey and I ponder fine art when at a museum.
Also, don't feel like this blog is going to be about music and music only. I will most likely use it to help people keep up with my college life, sports, news, books, movies, and any other things that happen to pop in my mind that I desire to share with the world.
So, read, listen, and enjoy!
2010 Music Year in Review: Mumford and Sons
#9
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Release Date – February 16, 2010
My Rating: 8.0/10
Pitchfork's Rating: 2.1/10
If you are on a college campus and you haven't heard of Mumford & Sons, then you probably live in The Cave and you better Roll Away Your Stone. Currently, Mumford & Sons fanaticism is spreading throughout the US, and their album has been in the top 20 for iTunes and Amazon for some time now. What intriugues people into listening and enjoying Mumford & Sons is their usage of the banjo in the majority of their songs. Mumford & Sons beautifully incorporates the banjo into their songs and the banjo is especially enjoyable in mainstream hits The Cave and Little Lion Man. In Winter Winds, Mumford & Sons even includes a great brass section in addition to the banjo, guitar, bass, and drums. Marcus Mumford may also have one of the most memorable voices of 2010, and I expect good things to come from him because of the power of his voice and the passion and emotion that he sings with as well. So, if there are all these good things about Mumford & Sons, why do I give them a 8.0/10 rating? Well, mainly I attributed this rating to them due to their simple lyrics and the fact that they the lack a diversity in their sound. Don't get me wrong, I believe Mumford & Sons are an upcoming band and I feel they will only get better from here, but their lyrics weren't anything extraordinary or moving. Mumford & Sons should learn from a similar sounding band Fleet Foxes, who not only are musically gifted like Mumford & Sons, but also have meaningful lyrics and diversity in their sound. I would recommend Mumford & Sons to anyone who wants to be that person who “discovers a band before they become big” and to anyone who enjoys some quality folk music.
Key Tracks: The Cave, Little Lion Man, Winter Winds, I Gave You All
Little Lion Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYSOJ-jClaY
2010 Music Year in Review: Kanye West
#8
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Release Date – November 22, 2010
My Rating: 8.5/10
Pitchfork Rating: 10/10
“I was the abomination of Obama's nation / well that's a pretty bad way to start the conversation.” Yes, Kanye, your antics have made you an abomination to Obama's nation. Mr. West is single handedly responsible for the lowest point in Bush's presidency when he called Bush “a racist”, he made teenage Taylor Swift almost go into tears at last year's VMA awards, and Obama has openly called Kanye a “jacka**” for his antics at the VMA's. Still, as low as Kanye's reputation was and his emotional state was (808's and Heartbreak was written in honor of his deceased mother and out of depression when his fiance broke off their marriage), Kanye stands “on top of Mount Olympus” in his production of what may be the best album of the year by most critics and one of his best all time. Yeezy is a man of passion, and he carries this passion into his creation of some of the best hip-hop of our time and also in his actions which is responsible for all his trouble that he has gotten into. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy displays Kanye's musical genius and his arrogance in his creation that features anyone from Kid Cudi and Raekwon in Gorgeous; to folk artist Bon Iver in Lost in this World; to Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Rick Ross in Monster; and even Elton John, Fergie, John Legend, Rihanna, and anyone else who is somewhat famous on All the Lights. So, from what all the rave reviews has said about this album, you would think that I would rave about it as well. As good as some of the songs are (Lost in this World is probably my song of the year), there is plenty of music that I feel is inappropriate and unnecessary. What made Graduation so good was that it featured all the great supporting cast that Dark Twisted Fantasy has without all the unnecessary language and adult themes. Half of Dark Twisted Fantasy is like Graduation and is really great, but a lot of it makes me uncomfortable when listening to it. I should have known that this album would be an uncomfortable listen after watching Kanye's Runaway video with the Drews, Lauren, Chelsea, Katie, Lisa, and myself and turning it off due to a "skanky phoenix" in the movie. But, something about Kanye fascinates me and I bought the album anyway. In conclusion, I recommend Kanye's album to anyone who wants to listen to what critics say is album of the year, but I warn them to listen with discernment because it isn't the most family friendly album around today.
Key Tracks: Power, Gorgeous, Lost in this World, Runaway
2010 Music Year in Review: The Black Keys
Black Keys – Brothers
Release Date – May 18, 2010
My Rating: 9.0/10
Pitchfork Rating: 7.7/10
How many two-man bands do you know of? Well, if you don't know any, I would recommend getting to know Akron, Ohio's very own The Black Keys. With Dan Auerbach on the guitar, bass, and vocals and Patrick Carney on the drums, The Black Keys create some bluesy, garage rock style music. I discovered The Black Keys years ago when they sang Strange Times and I Got Mine thanks to the former Radio X 96.1, and I always enjoyed their peculiar sound. After seeing this album for $3.99 on Amazon, I quickly snatched it so I could judge whether iTunes gave it too lofty of a rating by giving it the best album of 2010. Too my dismay, I haven't given the album its proper chance due to its extraordinarily long length (15 songs) and my lack of free time for music in college. But, upon a few listens, I would agree with what Pitchfork says in which they believe that this album should have been shorter to create a more concise and focused listen. However, when I listen to the catchy "Tighten Up" or the upbeat "Howlin' For You,", I realize that this album has a lot of potential and begs for an appropriate listen. Thus, when time presents itself, The Black Keys will receive the proper listen that they deserve.
Key Tracks: Everlasting Light, Howlin' For You, Tighten Up, She's Long Gone
Howlin' For You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2-GO4XI_Xc
2010 Music Year in Review: Broken Bells
#6
Broken Bells – Broken Bells
Broken Bells – Broken Bells
Release Date – March 9, 2010
Est. Rating: 9.2/10
Pitchfork Rating: 7.2/10
"Ebony and Ivory, live together in harmony." sings Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Today's ebony and ivory might be the odd collaboration of The Shins's lead singer James Mercer and Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, who come together in "perfect harmony" to create Broken Bells. My interest in Broken Bells piqued thanks to iTunes's Free Single of the Week in which they gave out The High Road for free. My desire to listen to this strange collaboration grew as I listened to The High Road more and more, and my opportunity to listen to the entire album finally came when I bought their album for $5 off of Amazon. As my listens to this album have grown, I am caught off guard by the strange sense of bliss that I experience when I listen to this album. What is so catchy about Broken Bells is Mercer's distinct voice and his incredible range with Danger Mouse's musical genius in creating some entertaining, and sometimes odd, beats. Whether it is the dance groove of The Ghost Inside, the sing-a-long quality of Vaporize, or the serene piano of October, this album is sure to create a memorable listen for the listener.
Key Tracks: The High Road, October, The Ghost Inside, Vaporize
The Ghost Inside: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNl0Jw9_Z5A
The High Road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWBG1j_flrg
2010 Music Year in Review: Spoon
#5
Spoon – Transference
Release Date – January 15, 2010
My Rating: 9.2/10
Pitchfork Rating: 7.8/10
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Gimme Fiction. Got Nuffin. Don't You Evah. Rhthm and Soul. Most of you who read these previous sentences are either cringing at the spelling of these words or are upset with me for even posting something of this nonsense. But, to those of you who appreciate Austin, Texas's band Spoon like myself, you get over the atrocious spelling and see the beauty in these albums / songs. My first Spoon album was Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and I fell in love with Spoon's upbeat tempo, slick production, and catchy lyrics in songs like Don't You Evah, You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb, and The Underdog. Since I was enamored with the previous Spoon album, I was excited to see what direction they would go from the commercial success of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga in 2010 when they would release Transference. To my surprise, everything that made their previous album so good was completely scrapped from the new album. My first listen stunned me and made me confused. Whether it was the Mystery Zone's abrupt ending (which caught me off guard, so I played it multiple times to see if my iTunes was working correctly), Written in Reverse's false ending to only be built up into the chorus again, or Nobody Gets Me But You's random piano / guitar background noises, I realized that Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga's slick production and catchy lyrics were replaced with a more raw sound and indecipherable lyrics. Still, even with this drastic change, this album has really grown on me and has turned out to be a wonderfully confusing listen. I love the fact that Spoon has gone such a different direction and that they would create an album like this in a day where most albums feature songs that are slick and similar. Spoon is a band that uplifts you in the weirdest way, and Transference definitely is one of those albums that does that to me. Thus, anyone who desires an enjoyable abum that not only uplifts you but leaves you in confusion as well, Spoon's Transference will be right up your alley.
Key Tracks: Written in Reverse, Got Nuffin, Trouble Comes Running, Out Go the Lights
Written in Reverse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYWlg9iHHlY
Got Nuffin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhS7OS1WcmU
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
2010 Music Year in Review: Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend – Contra
Release Date: January 11, 2010
My Rating: 9.5/10
Pitchfork: 8.6/10
One of the first albums to be released in the year, Contra began the music year of 2010 with a bang. Ezra Koenig begins the album with Horchata and the lyrics of “In December, drinking Horchata / I'd look psychotic in a balaclava / winter's cold is too much too handle / pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals” and the listener is instantly brought to a sunny beach in the Caribbean enjoying a glass of Horchata. The entire album entertains Caribbean-style beats and joyful lyrics, an extraordinary listen when you consider the fact that the musicians producing this music are clean cut, white college graduates from Columbia University, not natives of a Caribbean island. Hidden in the enjoyable guitars and beats are lyrics about anything from the horrors that a soldier at war has seen (Holiday), fleeing from society's obsession of work (Run), and the deceitful facades that the wealthy put on (Taxi Cab). Contra is the perfect album for anyone who wants to escape from the dreariness of winter to a warm beach through this cheerful composition of brass instruments, percussion, some eccentric falsetto (White Sky), and even Koneig's quirky usage of auto-tune (California English).
Key Tracks: Horchata, Holiday, Giving Up the Gun, Run
Giving Up the Gun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bccKotFwzoY&feature=channel
2010 Music Year in Review: Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens – Age of Adz
Release Date: October 12, 2010
My Rating: 9.7/10 → 10/10 (depending on day)
Pitchfork: 8.4/10
I was introduced to Sufjan Stevens as a freshmen in high school with his album Illinoise. At that time, he was two states into his project of making an album for every single state (Greetings from Michigan was his first), and one of his songs that really caught my ear was his song Chicago for its beautiful usage of the trumpet and strings. After scrapping the whole 50 state project and staying out of the limelight for four years, Sufjan released Age of Adz, which is nothing like the beautiful story-telling of Illinoise. Instead, it is more like the volcano of thoughts (Vesuvius reference) that is Sufjan's mind that is about to explode with the chaos of his emotions and desires. His main inspiration for the album was the artwork of schizophrenic artist “Prophet” Royal Robertson, and throughout the album you are definitely aware that this album must have been inspired by a schizophrenic with its change in emotion and instrumentation. Futile Devices begins the album sounding similar to the beauty of Illinoise, but once Too Much begins you are thrown into the chaotic electronica that is Age of Adz. Sufjan contemplates about love in Too Much and I Walked (“But I got nothing left to love” in I Walked), battles the fact that he is aging in Now that I'm Older, considers death in Vesuvius (“Vesuvius / fire of fire / follow me now as I favor the ghost.”), ponders complete paranoia in I Want to Be Well, and finally reaches peace of mind in the magnificent work of art that is the 25 minute Impossible Soul. In Impossible Soul, Sufjan constructs a symphony with electronic blips, AutoTune, horn sections, choir backup vocals, and even what sounds like cheer section to end the album with the beautiful lines of “Boy, we can do much more together / Boy we made a mess together”. After listening to that song, you agree that you did help Sufjan make a mess, but a spectacular mess indeed.
Key Tracks: I Walked, Vesuvius, Too Much, Impossible Soul
I Walked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq9uuiC92Xk
Vesuvius: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa9NwiIklLU
I Walked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq9uuiC92Xk
Vesuvius: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa9NwiIklLU
2010 Music Year in Review: The National
The National – High Violet
Release Date – May 10, 2010
My Rating: 9.7/10
Pitchfork: 8.7/10
My top albums seem to follow a similar theme: the difficulties of adulthood. While Win Butler sings as a man who is new to the life as an adult, Matt Berringer of The National sings as a man who has had his years living as an adult. Bloodbuzz Ohio's line “I still owe money / to the money / to the money I owe” is one fantastic chorus, and it is a line that Americans (especially us college students) have been singing for a long time. Berringer laments in this album over relationships gone bad (Terrible Love), fear of going out with others (Afraid of Everyone), and the lies and other sins that he has committed in his life (Conversation 16) with such raw honesty that you start to feel for the man. This album is a fantastic listen; it is an album that feels like it was created by a working man sitting at his corporate job on a rainy Tuesday and meditating over his life. The National will be enjoyable to any music listener who enjoys a good baritone voice like Berringer's that also includes and extensive layering of guitars, pianos, horns, bass, woodwinds, and the backup voices of Justin Vernor (Bon Iver) and Sufjan Stevens (featured in Afraid of Everyone).
Key Tracks: Bloodbuzz Ohio, Afraid of Everyone, Conversation 16, Anyone's Ghost
Bloodbuzz Ohio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfySK7CLEEg&ob=av3el
Afraid of Everyone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5C2WVCruPM
2010 Year in Review: Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
Release Date: August 3, 2010
My Rating: 9.8/10
Pitchfork: 8.6/10
The Suburbs is an album that puts the listener in the shoes of a group of once rebellious teenagers who find themselves now living the life that they swore they would never live: a life focused on work, structure, “following the man”, and a suburban dweller. The adults that are the main characters of this album constantly are going back and forth between their conformist, dispassionate present and their rebellious, exciting past as a youth. The title track features the chorus of “Sometimes I can't believe it / I'm moving past the feeling again”, and this feeling is the feeling of being young and reckless. Ready to Start's lines of “All the kids have always known / That the Emperor wears no clothes / But they all bow down to him anyway / 'cause its better than being alone” emphasizes how often times conformity and apathy controls an adult's life. The song Modern Man even goes into the depression of being this dull, conformist man in the lyrics “If it's alright / Then how come you can't sleep at night / In line for a number but you don't understand / like a modern man.” We Used to Wait is the standout track on the album and it digs deep into what the theme of The Suburbs is really about. Butler sings on this track “Now our lives are changing fast” multiple times before the chorus of “We used to wait”, and you realized that what is bothering these adults the most is how quickly the norms of adulthood have creeped into their lives. This album challenges the listener to not take advantage of their youth while also not compromising their beliefs and losing their youthful spark when they become an adult. Overall, this is a one of the best albums that I've heard in a long time, and hearing Arcade Fire's passionate ode to the Suburbs is a listen that is worthwhile for any musical lover.
Key Tracks: The Suburbs, Ready to Start, Month of May, We Used to Wait
We Used to Wait: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLjrQ3cwzJ4&ob=av2nm
The Suburbs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Euj9f3gdyM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)