TV On The Radio have always been a name on my radar, but never one that stood out as something that bared a serious listen based on such as melodic and simple songs as "Wolf Like Me" & "Staring At The Sun". But when I read the review on Pitchfork, I knew it was something I NEEDED to hear. When I got it I immediately noticed some very mature influences as Bowie, U2, Peter Gabriel and Pixies which leads to many different sounds. In the end, the album successfully shows the band's ability to approach multiple tones in an unforgettable record.
Key Tracks- Family Tree, Golden Age, DLZ
2. No Age- Nouns
When I saw No Age open for Liars earlier this year, I had never heard of them but was speechless when they finished their set. After that, I wrote their name on a piece of scrap paper to Google later. No Age brings a totally fresh aura to a very low-key sound with the attitude of Pavement meets Suicide. Being only a drum and bass band, they reveal what extremities one simple combination can do.
Key Tracks- Eraser, Teen Creeps, Sleeper Hold
3. M83- Saturdays = Youth
At first glance of the cover, I was discouraged from checking this album out thinking it would be something along the lines of Deerhoof or Simple Minds. When my dad gave me this album to upload, it was on my iTunes for several weeks with a play-count of 0. Then my friend Alex (http://remake--remodel.blogspot.com/) told me to listen to it, when I did I was shocked on how original and diverse this sounded. It combines the electronic feel of a late night NPR program mixed with the perky teen angsty feel of a John Hughes' film. But when I really got into this album was after seeing him live and them meeting him. He was very well spoken and really understood the struggle of childhood, as the songs acknowledge. I know have listened to this record 6 times in 3 weeks making it my highest played album.
Key Tracks- Kim & Jessie, Couleurs, We Own The Sky
4. Sigur Rós- Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Sigur Rós have always been a very thematic group and one that have always brought a certain beauty to their music that is very hard to find in this day and age. With their latest release, they provide a lighter side to their overwelming sound and bring us a folkier and more joyous tone then their previous records. The opening track "Gobbldigook" brings a much more melodic and catchy style to their music with it's lighthearted accoustic guitar and tribal-like drums. As the album grows they introduce their familiar orchestrated style with a very hopeful attitude. The record closes with a very delicate and beautiful track "All Alright" with seals the album with a perfect touch.
Key Tracks- Gobbledigook, Ára Bátur, All Alright
5. Radiohead- In Rainbows
(CD Version w/ Bonus Disc)Ten years after their revolutionary, highly praised "OK Computer" Radiohead delivers another original sound with In Rainbows. Even though this is their second worst record ("Pablo Honey" being their first) they still manage to amaze. Their style differs from their previous four albums and brings a much more raw sound with less synthesizers and more guitars which succeeds to be a change from their once familiar style. In October of 2007, they provided the album as download where you could choose how much you wanted to pay. But the actual CD version of the album was released on January 1st of this year.
Key Tracks- Bodysnatchers, Reckoner, Jigsaw Falling Into Place
6. Deerhunter- Microcastle
Last year Deerhunter changed the definition of modern Indie Rock with their breakthrough album "Cryptograms". Now they bring their second release which turns away from their ambient-influenced, experimental sound that they proved themselves so capable of on "Cryptograms". Now they reveal their talent to alter the simple sounds of 50's pop to make one of the best rock albums in the last few years. The album provides a slow & sensitive element to a very new sound of rock. Bradford Cox (AKA Atlas Sound) who is the group's vocalist and songwriter delivers his unique presence to this
triumphant album.
Key Tracks- Agoraphobia, Nothing Ever Happened, Twilight at Carbon Lake
7. Lil Wayne- Tha Carter III
With its bold beats and clever lyrics, Tha Carter III is easily one of the best rap albums of this decade. The production on tracks such as "A Milli" and "Let The Beat Build" manage not only carry the sound of today's pop music, but also are very well-done songs. The record opens with "3 Peat" a track that carries intense lyrics that prove Wayne's hostile attitude, and never manages to let up. As well as being a somewhat traditional hip hop album, the album carries two R&B tracks, "Comfortable" & "Mrs. Officer" which open a less harsh perspective onto the rest of the album, but ultimetely ties it together into one solid creation that proves that Hip Hop Is Not Dead.
Key Tracks- A Milli, Let The Beat Build, Shoot Me Down
8. Lindstrøm- Where You Go I Go Too
As an album with only three tracks, Lindstrøm proves his ability to create a sound so overwhelming it becomes almost hypnotic. It is almost impossible to pick out certain melodies of the trio of songs to comment on. The transition between tracks is simply unnoticeable.
I will not be writing anything for the remaining albums
9. Fuck Buttons-Street Horrising
10. GZA/Genius- Pro Tools
There are many others, but I did not want to go overboard
