2010 So Far

[thejokeexplained]

It was the 2nd best album of 2009 for me. It's amazing to me how each one of those songs wouldn't be out of place on the singer's main band's albums. Really impressive work by Burton and Linkous. It's also amazing how so many diverse singers/writers can sound so coherent on the album. I'm not typically fond of albums with many different vocalists. But this one works.

 

Even though I played the hell out of my digital copy of that album, I'm still hearing new things when I listen to the CD through a better set of speakers. It was already an amazing album, but the better sound quality of the official release has made it even better.

 

I more than likely won't let myself count it on any 2010 list. But if I did, it would certainly be near the top.

 

was it the vinyl that was just released, that's my format of choice and what i have? I thought it was just released on July 13?

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

was it the vinyl that was just released, that's my format of choice and what i have? I thought it was just released on July 13?

It was supposed to come out last year, but some record label bullshit stopped that from happening. So the album "leaked," and it's been relatively easy to find for about a year. Instead of releasing the actual album, they sent out blank discs with veiled messages to go find the album online, since it had officially streamed at NPR. I ordered the blank disc/poster thing last year because I liked the album too much to not pay anything for it.

 

Said record label bullshit was finally settled this year, and the album was officially released on CD/Vinyl box set a few weeks ago. The box set was tempting, but I just bought the regular CD.

 

So I guess it's technically a 2010 album. But I've been listening to it for over a year. Hence my decision to likely not include it on a 2010 list.

[Beltmann]

New Pornographers - Together (A really predictable New Pornographers album, with less immediate tunes and Dan Bejar really struggling it seems)

That's pretty much how I felt about Twin Cinema, but then Challengers was great, and Together knocks me out--it might be my favorite NP album since their second. It's been in heavy rotation all summer, and I haven't tired of it one bit. The first half contains some of their finest tunes, I think.

[anthony]

My favorite so far:

 

Mumford & Sons - Sign No More

[bleedorange]

That's pretty much how I felt about Twin Cinema, but then Challengers was great, and Together knocks me out--it might be my favorite NP album since their second. It's been in heavy rotation all summer, and I haven't tired of it one bit. The first half contains some of their finest tunes, I think.

 

I'm with you on Together, but I'm shocked to hear you say that about Twin Cinema. It's my favorite of theirs by a long shot, and one of my favorites of the decade. With my favorite song of the decade, "The Bleeding Heart Show."

 

Oh well. Can't agree on everything.

[Beltmann]

I'm with you on Together, but I'm shocked to hear you say that about Twin Cinema. It's my favorite of theirs by a long shot, and one of my favorites of the decade. With my favorite song of the decade, "The Bleeding Heart Show."

I know I'm in the minority on Twin Cinema--it's the only NP album that, upon release, I didn't feel the urge to listen over and over obsessively. But I still like it a lot and love at least a handful of the songs, including "Bleeding Heart Show."

[Wild Frank]

It was supposed to come out last year, but some record label bullshit stopped that from happening. So the album "leaked," and it's been relatively easy to find for about a year. Instead of releasing the actual album, they sent out blank discs with veiled messages to go find the album online, since it had officially streamed at NPR. I ordered the blank disc/poster thing last year because I liked the album too much to not pay anything for it.

 

Said record label bullshit was finally settled this year, and the album was officially released on CD/Vinyl box set a few weeks ago. The box set was tempting, but I just bought the regular CD.

 

So I guess it's technically a 2010 album. But I've been listening to it for over a year. Hence my decision to likely not include it on a 2010 list.

I've been hooked on this record for a while now. Also tempted by the box set but gave it a miss as it really was just expensive packaging (albeit David Lynch packaging!!). The penultimate track, grim augery, freaks me out now. Since it was recorded both Linkous and Chestnut have committed suicide. Thats one cursed track. The lyrics are stunning and dark. The line about catfish wriggling in blood and gore always gets me as well as the one about the Norman Rockwell painting.

 

Its sad to think there will be no more stuff from Linkous. Dark night of The Soul has turned out to be a startling appropriate title for the record. Apparently when he died he was in the process of putting a new album together. Dangermouse should get the dnots vocalists to return to make a sequal as a trubute, using Linkous's material.

[PopTodd]

Biggest disappointment:

Teenage Fanclub

 

Just start rocking again. Please?

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

Dangermouse should get the dnots vocalists to return to make a sequal as a trubute, using Linkous's material.

Ugh. No thanks. I love DNOTS. But I want to hear Mark's final material as close to the way he wanted it as possible. If he hadn't yet done the vocals, then so be it. But the thought of his final album being pieced together by anyone but him or Steve Albini (the producer he was working with) is completely unappealing.

[solace]

I know I'm in the minority on Twin Cinema--it's the only NP album that, upon release, I didn't feel the urge to listen over and over obsessively. But I still like it a lot and love at least a handful of the songs, including "Bleeding Heart Show."

 

i'm the same way... Bleeding Heart Show is AMAZING, but overall it doesn't do it for me like Electric Version or Mass Romantic did.

[thecanuck]

My favourites so far, although most have been mentioned already:

The National - High Violet

The Black Keys - Brothers (Their best since Rubber Factory!)

The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

Titus Andronicus - The Moninter

LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

Spoon - Transference

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Before Today

 

Middle of the pack, but definitely enjoyable:

The Soft Pack - The Soft Pack

Band of Horses - Infinte Arms

The Hold Steady - Heaven Is Whenever

 

Dissapointments:

Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the Void -- It just sounds like an Eric Earley solo album for the most part. I love the first two tracks, but after that, it kind of wallows in acoustic-y ballads that just aren't as compelling as the last record.

Delta Spirit - History from Below -- Not bad, just not great. Disappointing because I was hoping for more because of their phenomenal debut.

 

Still need to hear:

Joel Alme - Waiting for the Bells, Surfer Blood - Astro Coast, Tame Impala - Innerspeaker (Heard them for the first time at Sasquatch and they blew me away.), Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can, Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring, probably more. These lists are a good place to start. I'm pretty excited about the new Belle and Sebastien record coming out this October.

[Beltmann]

I'm pretty excited about the new Belle and Sebastien record coming out this October.

Me too. I'm also excited for the new Eels album which comes out Tuesday--especially since I wasn't smitten with January's End Times.

 

These lists are a good place to start

Often I open this thread (and others like it) and start picking names to check out on eMusic. Helps a lot!