Inspired by Stevie's
Up And Coming Book List, I am going to start the same thing with my music purchased for the year. My favorite blog to write is my year end music review. And it be honest, I start it in January of each year. I start collecting music as soon as possible, and use a smart playlist to amass them all in one place for easy listening and examining. As we stand on 4/24, I have purchased 38 albums from 2010 (including records released after 10/1/2009 to today. How am I expected to judge an album in less than three months? It's impossible. So the last 3 months are tagged on to the next year.) That is a little more than 2 albums a week. Hell, there was one today, two yesterday, and 6 on Thursday. Yeah, 6. I have issues. But, I also have a kick ass music collection, and a good jump start on the end of the year blog.
Below you will see a quick list of the albums I have picked up so far this year. I will try to update them every month or so. If I have an opinion of the record, will post a quick note, but keep in mind, I may change mine.
Adam Green (from The Moldy Peaches) - "Minor Love" Pretty good, like Mike Doughty lite. I think if he took himself more seriously, so would I.
The Album Leaf - "A Chorus of Storytellers" Falling From the Sun is a hell of a song, have not absorbed the rest of the record yet.
Beach House - "Teen Dream" Borderline
Broken Bells - "Broken Bells" Recommended by Stevie's Mister, so far its a good pick up, need to cycle through a few more times.
Bryan Scary & the Shredding Tears - "Mad Valentine" Don't like.
Dum Dum Girls - "I Will Be" Too new to judge.
The Dutchess & The Duke - "Sunset/Sunrise" Very good.
Fang Island - "Fang Island" Too new to judge.
First Aid Kit - "The Big Black and The Blue" Too new to judge.
Frightened Rabbit - "The Winter of Mixed Drinks" Surefire. Very Very Good.
Girls - "Album" Released last week of Sept. in 2009. This is the record I regret the most leaving off last years list. It is a hell of a record, and I am bending my Oct. rule to get it the attention it deserves.
Jason Castro - "Jason Castro" Former American Idol singersongwriter needs to continue to grow. Not a bad release, but a little immature.
Jeff Jacobson - "Lunch in the Park" Too new to judge.
Julian Casablancas - "Phrazes For The Young" Interesting, but unsure.
Justin Nozuka - "You I Wind Land And Sea" If I was in an unhealthy place in my life. If I was heavily depressed or sedated, I would LOVE this record. But I think I am too content for it. It is good, but very depressing.
Little & Ashley - "Stole My Heart EP" This is the music behind those adorable amazon kindle commercials. Very cute indie pop.
Local Natives - "Gorilla Manor" Surefire.
Los Campesinos! - "Romance is Boring" This was my most anticipated release of the year, but the band has lost something for me. Do not get me wrong, this is a good recording, with some great individual songs. But this is not a great record. Not like their first two.
The Magnetic Fields - "Realism" My least favorite of the year so far.
Mia Carruthers and The Retro's - "We Will Grow EP" Too new to judge.
The Middle East - "The Recordings of the Middle East EP" Nice so far but, too new to judge.
Mike Doughty - "Sad Man Happy Man" Little disappointing, except for the bonus tracks and covers.
Mimicking Birds - "Mimicking Birds" Top five as of today. Great, GREAT, album.
The Morning Benders - "Big Echo" Pretty good. Need more spins.
Nick Jaina - "A Bird In The Opera House" Too new to judge.
Portugal. The Man - "American Ghetto" Very good record with great potential. Surefire.
Sad Brad Smith - "Love Is Not What You Need" SOLID
She & Him - "Volume Two" Borderline, but probable.
South China - "Washingtons" Too new to judge.
Surfer Blood - "Astro Coast" Purchased today. I texted KGB and asked, "What is the best album of the year so far?" and Surfer Blood was what they told me, so I buy.
The Tallest Man On Earth - "The Wild Hunt" Surefire. Top three possible, top five probable.
Titus Andronicus - "The Monitor" When I heard indie rock themed around the Civil War I thought I could be very interesting. And it is interesting, just not very good.
Toro Y Moi - "Causers Of This" Too new to judge.
Trent Dabbs - "Your Side Now" Very solid singersongwriter stuff. Might really grow on me.
Vampire Weekend - "Contra" When I first picked this up, I thought it was too much the same. But now that I have run it through more than a few times, I am starting to love it.
Wakey!Wakey! - "Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You...." The best record of the year so far. It's overtly poppy, but in an unobnoxious way. It is really wonderful. Songs like Car Crash and Dance So Good will surely be near the top of my best songs list.
Wale - "Attention Deficit" Very solid hiphop. Will make my year end list. Surefire.
Yeasayer - "Odd Blood" Too new to judge.
Sweetheart 2010 - Various Artists. Quality all the way through. Likes of Hey Marseilles, Spoon and Jose Gonzalez.
