best of the year so far
02Jun10
Thought we’d give you a sneak preview of a feature that’s going live tomorrow on Notes From the Digital Underground (aka: the editorial section of the homepage) — eMusic’s Best Of 2010…So Far. We definitely were selective in our inclusions — so let us hear from you: what were we crazy to exclude? We’ve also made some picks of our favorite audiobooks, as well as reminding you of the great eMusic Selects acts we’ve seen so far this year (there will be more of those on the way).
So, here’s our list. Who makes yours?
My faves of the year so far: Admiral Fallow’s “Boots Met My Face”, Drink Up Buttercup’s “Born and Thrown on a Hook”, Sam Quinn’s “The Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships”, and Mike Patton’s “Mondo Cane”. A bunch of others too, but these are the ones off the top of my head.
I was stunned to discover The National’s ‘High Violet’ and Damien Jurado’s ‘Saint Bartlett’ failed to make the list.
I wholeheartedly endorse your selections of Owen Pallett, Galactic, Titus Andronicus, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, and BSS. I cannot support the inclusion of Delorean, however. As much as I loved the EP, this album just doesn’t work for me. I think it is that I can’t listen to it without hearing Merriweather Post Pavilion, so I get the feeling of a cheap knock off from it.
As for albums I would add, Bluebrain – “Soft Power”, Communist Daughter – “Soundtrack to the End”, Dessa – “A Badly Broken Code”, Malachai – “Ugly Side of Love”, and Nneka – “Concrete Jungle”.
Craig
You guys are adding exponentially to my Save for Later list. I love it.
You have a SFL? They don’t comp you!?!
Re: “High Violet”, I’m a huge fan of The National, but there seems to be something missing for me with this album. It is very good, but fair or not I compare it to “Alligator” and “The Boxer”, and it doesn’t live up to that level for me. I freely admit that if “High Violet” had been released by some band I’d never heard of it would likely be in my ‘best of’, but that’s the price of success.
Craig
I’ll come out openly and agree with Craig: High Violet, “Bloodbuzz Ohio” and “Runaway” aside, just didn’t stay with me the way the others did.
And, man, I have like FIFTY Save for Laters…
I’m not sure that Malachai record came out this year, but if it did, I second that vote. I *love* that album.
In No Real Order:
Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
Hurray for the Riff Raff – Young Blood Blues
Thee Oh Sees – Warm Slime
Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
Led Zeppelin – IV
rifraz – Apparently when I thought it was released on Domino this year it was actually rereleased. I’m counting it anyway because I must have “Snowflake” on my Best of 2010 mix at the end of the year!
p-clark – Thanks for the reminder on Mike Patton. I’d meant to check that out, but it had slipped my mind. It is such a fun album.
Craig
the new emeralds record is a total jam. in terms of singles and eps, peoples potential/shark chase by floating points is a lot of fun, as is four tet’s love cry ep (recently repriced from 12 to 5 d/ls, i believe).
i’d recommend these new puritans’s hidden a little more quickly if it was still winter. save it for later and d/l it in november.
Alex, I’m feeling that Emeralds, too, actually. Gagaga: into The Oh Sees record, but those dudes need to slow down! Them & the Fresh & Onlys — 2 of my favorite new bands, but I’m worried they’re going to risk oversaturation (aka: Bob Pollard Syndrome) if they don’t slow their roll.
Also really think the Beach Fossils record is amazing, and flying kinda under the radar so far.
Drive-By Truckers-The Big To Do. Not their best, but still damn good.
These New Puritans! Plus the Fall, Love Is All, MGMT, and She & Him. Off eMusic — LCD Soundsystem, Liars, and Johnny Cash. Early frontrunners for most overrated: Sleigh Bells and Titus Andronicus.
Joe,
Its a total cliche, but that really is the spirit behind punk/garage music. Give all you can until you got nothing left in the tank. Burn out > fade away!
That’s a good point! Hey, how do you like the new Ty Segall? I’m really loving that one.
Also feel I should mention Frightened Rabbit’s Winter of Mixed Drinks. I don’t quite have the gut-wrenching emotional attachment to it like I did with Midnight Organ Fight, but it’s still a strong album.
OMG And how did I forget Fang Island!! I adore that album.
My top 5 so far:
1 The Living Sisters – Love to live
2 Chumbawamba – ABCDEFG
3 She & Him – Volume Two
4 The School – Loveless unbeliever
5 Moto Boy – Lost in the call
Caribou – Swim
The Glitch Mob – Drink the Sea
Broken Bells – Broken Bells
Bonobo – Black Sands
Rusko – O.M.G.!
Ptolemyclark I too don’t have the Heart Wrenching of Midnight with Winter (but I’m starting to get it with some of the songs)
FR: Winter
Sleigh Bells: Treats (already . . . I friggin just bought a 50 booster pack just to get it, and Infinity Guitars (demo Version) is my ringtone
B Dolan: Fallen House, Sunken City
Broken Bells: Broken Bells
Galactic: Ya-Ka-May (I am a New Orleans Boy after all)
Runners Up
Sharon Jones, Jonsi, Sage Francis
Misspoke “Crown on the Ground” is my Ringtone :-S
Oh, I also forgot Dinosaur Feathers’ “Fantasy Memorial” (thanks flamgirlant for reminding me!). Perfect album for summer.
I’m sure you’ve already heard it, but the year isn’t half over for another 4 weeks. Having said that, my votes go to She & Him, The Hold Steady, and Sharon Jones. Wanting to like the New Pornos but just can’t get there.
Another vote for Dessa’s inclusion on the list.
I’m surprised Broken Bells and Go (by Jonsi) are missing. Out of the ones you picked, Caribou and Four Tet stand out for me.
The Morning Benders, These New Puritans, Broken Bells, Dessa, Shearwater, the National and Joanna Newsom (though Joanna isn’t on eMusic) are on my short list. Nice to see the Caribou on there, though.
Woods, Zola Jesus and Wild Nothing stand out so far for me. Also the Joker “Tron” single is one of the years best as well.
depreciation guild-spirit youth
surfer blood-astro coast
delorean-subiza
phantogram-eyelid movies
field music-measure
radio dept-clinging to a scheme