New Country Sounds: Kelsey Waldon

Originally hailing from Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky a real place on the Ohio River and border to Illinois, new comer Kelsey Waldon moved to Nashville to attend Belmont Univ and today join the ranks of Stark Online female county-rock staples such as Caitlin Rose, Tristen, Nikki Lane and more. Her new album The Goldmine (June 24) ranges from the title track with its melancholic homespun narrative "I don't want the goldmine / I don't want what you got / I just want to be alright" to the fast picking pedal steel of "One Time Again" below. Just getting the album yesterday, we need to digest it a bit more - but it should be a fun one. She's doing some local touring, but national dates hopefully soon. Thanks Marissa Moss.

MATT'S TOP 50

Arctic Monkeys: AM
Baths: Obsidian
Bill Callahan: Dream River
Bombino: Nomad
Caitlin Rose: The Stand In
Cass McCombs: Big Wheel and Others
Courtney Barnett: The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas
Daft Punk: Random Access Memories
David Bowie: The Next Day
Deer Tick: Negativity
Deerhunter: Monomania
Hiss Golden Messenger: Haw
Hookworms: Pearl Mystic
Jacco Gardner: Cabinet of Curiosities
Jagwar Ma: Howlin
Jai Paul: S/T
John Grant: Pale Green Ghosts
John Murry: The Graceless Age
Jon Hopkins: Immunity
Jonny Fritz: Dad Country
Laura Marling: Once I Was an Eagle
MIA: Matangi
Mikal Cronin: Mcii
Mutual Benefit: Love's Crushing Diamond
Neko Case: The Worse Things Get the Harder I Fight...
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Push The Sky Away
NIN: Hesitation Marks
Phosphorescent: Muchacho
Pure Bathing Culture: Moon Tides
Sky Ferreira: Night Time, My Time
Tim Hecker: Virgins
Tristen: Caves
Valerie June: Pushin' Against A Stone
Various: After Dark 2
Various: Inside Llewyn Davis
Wayne Shorter: Without A Net
White Denim: Corsica Lemonade
Willis Earl Beal: Nobody Knows
Zachary Cale: Blue Rider
Zomby: S/T

Top TEN

Arcade Fire: Reflektor
Autre Ne Veut: Anxiety
Blood Orange: Cupid Deluxe
Darkside: Psychic
Disclosure: Settle
Jason Isbell: Southeastern
Kacey Musgraves: Same Trailer Different Park
Kurt Vile: Walkin' On a Pretty Daze
Rhye: Woman
Savages: Silence Yourself

Caitlin Rose's 'The Stand-in' Teaser #1

The Stand In - March 5th.

 

New Caitlin Rose: "I Was Cruel"

We gave you the first taste of Caitlin Rose's new album - The Stand In (March 5 ATO) - a few weeks back with "No One to Call." Today we get the gorgeous and striking pseudo-ballad "I Was Cruel" a Deep Vibration cover (who are excellent in their own right). Rose told Spin: "This album could be considered my first attempt at a high kick," she says. "We're not aiming to make indie-sounding records. How boring would that be?" Caitlin Rose plays NY's The Mercury Lounge April 1. Full tour after the jump.

Daniel Romano: "Middle Child"

To continue our 2 post Caitlin Rose theme, Ms. Rose turned us on to the fantastic writing of Daniel Romano several months ago. Continuing in the somewhat odd tradition of Canadians composing excellent Americana music, Romano channels vintage Parsons and Gene Clark, and in-turn (of course) Sweetheart-era Byrds. With a melancholic deadpan vocal and stellar production, Romano captures the elusive sadness of true country all the while remembering to always keep that pedal steel and fiddle uplifting, no matter how dire the lyric. A true standout writer. Come Cry with Me comes out Jan 22 on Normaltown Records, an imprint of New West.

Caitlin Rose Announces New Album

Exciting news today, as longtime Stark favorite Caitlin Rose announces her new album The Stand-In Feb 25 via Names Records (in the UK). The new record will be released on March 5th in the States via ATO and we very much welcome the new track, "No One To Call" below. Featuring Rose's signature vocal, "No One To Call" recalls the best of More Adventurous era Rilo Kiley intertwined with the warm glowing instrumentation and harmonies of the classic 70s-era Rondstandt anyone who follows her social media knows she loves so well. Great to hear new stuff from Ms. Rose. Tracklist after the jump.

Little Bandit: "Heaven or Hell"

Everyone in Nashville knows each other, and they're all in (good) bands. You may recognize a lot of familiar faces in the above photo montage, from Tristen to Caitlin Rose, to Ponychase and more. Little Bandit is the new band from Alex Caress, younger brother of Jordan, who fronts Ponychase (a new addiction) and held down the rhythm section in Tristen's band on numerous tours and recordings. We're getting a heavy Dawes vibe, with touches of Sweetheart-era Byrds, and of course, a little Gram on the side. All that in addition to some rad beards and solid songwriting make Little Bandit a band to watch out for. Their self-titled Debut EP is out now.

Introducing Daniel Romano

Daniel Romano: "Time Forgot (To Change My Heart)"

Thanks to American Songwriter and Caitlin Rose for turning us on to the crystal-voiced Ontario native Daniel Romano. Distilling equal parts Sweetheart of the Rodeo with baritone country-noir along the lines of Neko Case or Lee Hazlewood - Romano in one sitting has turned our heads, and lead us to his most recent release Sleep Beneath the Willow which we're here spinning and soaking in on a languid July 5th in New York City. Can't wait to dig deeper.

New Video: Caitlin Rose - "Piledriver Waltz (Arctic Monkeys Cover)"

Cato doing her thang, covering the Arctic Monkeys' "Piledriver Waltz." Enjoy. Nice tune for a Monday.

MATT'S TOP 40 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

Happy New Year folks - sorry it took so long to post this... we needed some nice time off.

I'm not really sure what to make of this year. We seemed a little distracted, more argumentative, and fragmented. While there were frequent pleasures, and the fantastic highlights you find below, the critical mass seemed often too quick to elevate inferior content to ever-heightening levels of indie-rock stardom. Critical gatekeepers seemed too willing to settle, to accept as "great" hazy instrumentals, bedroom producers lacking vision, and in general, the absence of sharp songwriting in the critical mainstream. For as underwhelming as Bon Iver's massive album was - at least the album was bold - a step out - and a piece of work thought-out, conceived, and executed.

Yet, 2011 is ultimately notable for its commercial success stories, its quiet moments, its burgeoning country music marketplace, and the year people began to finally play some real electric guitar again. Gone were flash-in-the-pan distractions like Salem, the whole "beach rock" scene, and for the most part "chillwave."

The Weeknd emerged as a talented, versatile, and outright remarkable producer. The question remains, what can he do to focus his expertise and create something truly great next year?

There were refreshing returns to form from stalwart vets like Wild Flag, Gillian Welch and Ryan Adams, remarkable consistency from Kurt Vile, pure songs from Girls, and a standout, creative, knock-your-socks off sophomore record from tUnE-yArDs. The city of Nashville stood front and center - with releases from Tristen, Caitlin Rose, Jonny Corndawg, Nikki Lane, Those Darlins (by association), and Jeff the Brotherhood.

We listened to a ton of music, liked a bunch of it, and generally had a swell year.

Below is what we liked the best - enjoy folks.

Honorable Mention
Wilco - The Whole Love
Jonny Corndawg - Down on the Bikini Line
Nikki Lane - Walk of Shame
Pistol Annies - Hell on Heels
Veronica Falls - S/T
Caitlin Rose - Own Side Now (included in last year's list)
Foo Fighters - Wasted Light
Old 97s - The Grand Theater Vol II
Tom Waits - Bad As Me
Jason Isbell - Here We Rest
Tristen - Charlatans at the Garden Gate (we officially recuse ourselves from putting this on our regular list because we've lived with these songs so long and have worked w/ her in the past. BUY IT. It's Amazing.)

TOP 40
40. The Antlers - Burst Apart
39. Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation
38. Middle Brother - S/T
37. Blitzen Trapper - American Goldwing
36. Jessica Lea Mayfield - Tell Me
35. Zola Jesus - Conatus
34. Wye Oak - Civilian
33. The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You
32. Gem Club - Breakers
31. M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming
30. Cut Copy - Zonoscope
29. Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What
28. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
27. Miranda Lambert - Four The Record
26. Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know
25. War on Drugs - Slave Ambient
24. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
23. Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
22. Craft Spells - Idle Labor
21. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

TOP 20
20. Ambrose Akinmusire -When The Heart Emerges Glistening
19. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
18. Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting
17. Ryan Adams - Ashes and Fire
16. Gillian Welch - The Harrow and the Harvest
15. Hayes Carll - KMAG YOYO
14. Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for My Halo
13. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact
12. Wild Flag - S/T
11. Black Keys - El Camino

10. The Caretaker - An Empty Bliss Beyond This World







9. Regina - Soita Mulle

8. White Denim - D

7. Feist - Metals

6. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine

5. Drive-by Truckers - Go Go Boots

This is Drive-by Truckers 1000th album. I can't wait to hear my favorite ear splitting guitar attack, Brad Morgan's thudding floor tom, and Cooley's snarling rock growl. Wait. What the hell is this. Dobro? Brushes? Oh shit. This record's good. No, I mean really good. What are these songs? Who is this band? Damn that story about the reverend murdering his wife with the fireplace poker is pretty fucked up. Is this an Eddie Hinton cover? Man, I love that guy. Shana sounds pretty tight on these vocals. Is "Pulaski" my favorite Cooley song?? Does the girl kill herself in the end? "Good ideas always start with a full glass" I wish I had written that line. Wow is "Used to Be a Cop" the best song Patterson's written? Who is this band? Shit, this record's good. No, I mean really good.

4. Fucked Up - David Comes to Life

I've been told by those in the hardcore world (who are also fans of Fucked Up) that this is a "pussy hardcore record." They are quick to add the caveat that it's still really excellent. I don't know hardcore that well. I do know that this is a great album. Anyone with ears - regardless of their allegiances - can put on this massive, sprawling record (loud of course) and be completely sold on this band. From its bold length, to the crystal clear pop choruses (sung through an immaculate scream) David Comes to Life excels because of its passion and audacity. In the end, the record becomes devoid of genre, a true sign of a great album.

3. Destroyer - Kaputt

Switching to the first person here... I took a big risk in liking this record. As a big Destroyer fan in general, I, for the most part, knew what I was getting into. Yet, I was shocked at how much I didn't like on this album. The slick production, and those saxophones, oh god, the saxophones. But, there was something under the surface here that kept me coming back. An undercurrent of rhythm, excellent song structures, and a full album mood that hooked me. Writing at this moment, I still am not sure why I like this album as much as I do, given there are so many things my brain is telling me NOT to like about it. Maybe it's those contradictions that keep me coming back, but I'm pretty sure it's the consistency, the devotion to the whole album in and of itself that puts Kaputt at my #3 spot this year.
 

2. tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l

Merrill Garbus has crafted one of the most creative and unique sounds we have heard in years. Where Adele wears her influences on her sleeve, Garbus is a tour-de-force of originality, talent and spontaneity. From her fearless, face painted live shows to the passion she is remarkably capable of capturing on record tUnE-yArDs are making the freshest and most satisfying music out there right now. The songs are great, the execution is impeccable and, much like Adele - you'd be hard pressed to find many in the populace at large who have an axe to grind with such a captivating and talented frontwoman.  

1. Adele - 21

It's a rare thing... to watch a star be born in front of your eyes. Someone timeless. Not a Bieber or Gaga who epitomize and own their specific moment in history. We can always place the legions of boy bands in their proper eras, just as we will always place Madonna in the 80s and Britney Spears in the late 90s. But what of Adele and 21?

In many ways, 21 is the ultimate realization of a sound and a movement that began with Amy Winehouse and spread throughout the Duffys and Lily Allens of the world. A sound deep rooted in the past, but remarkably modern in its execution and production. It's huge, it's intimate, it's bold and comforting at the same time.

And of course, you have Adele herself. Full of whiskey, cigarettes, cutting lyrics and bravado, while at the same moment shy and publicly crippled by stage freight. Adele straddles the line between mysterious rock star and the persona that has made her the global every-woman. Her career and sound are filled with seemingly irreconcilable contradictions, yet the world adores her and 21 is a marvelous album. While not without its minor flaws, this is a TIMELESS record that your children will buy, and their children after that. This is the full arrival of a new force that (if healthy) will be around for a long time. 21 is an important record, and demands the album of the year title.

Friday Dose of Awesome: "Chevy Beretta"

[mp3] Jonny Corndawg: "Chevy Beretta"

Here's a little Jonny Corndawg / Caitlin Rose action coming at you on a Friday night. "What you’re seeing here is the culmination of literally tens of minutes of painstaking work. Enjoy."

Says director Sean Dunne:

“When Jonny and I first talked about making a video for Chevy Beretta we envisioned making the Citizen Kane of music videos. The kind of video that would inspire discussion and one day come to define our generation. Then I realized that Jonny had no money, so I went on the Internet and stole people’s old photos and videos. What you’re seeing here is the culmination of literally tens of minutes of painstaking work. Enjoy.”

VIA

Friday Dose of Amazing

This video combines everything I love. Thank you Numero. Thank you.

TONIGHT! No post needs to introduce the amazing bill of Hayes Carll, with Caitlin Rose. Caitlin hits at 9, and Hayes after that. You can pre-order Caitlin's 'Own Side Now' on vinyl (finally) HERE. Ships on Nov 8. Hayes' KMAG YOYO is own sale NOW as well. Both can't be recommended enough. See you out there kids.

Something Genuine

[mp3] Jason Boland & The Stragglers: "Somewhere Down in Texas"

How many times have you heard "I like everything except rap and country." If you take country music at face value, that cliched adage probably doesn't miss the mark by much. Yet, because there are so many mainstream "hat country" artists muddying the waters, it's extremely easy, almost a guarantee, that you will skip over the new album Rancho Alto from relative unknown (even for this country fan) Jason Boland & The Stragglers. This is an album where you almost don't want to know anything about who's making it. The production here is impeccable. You can hear flashes of Jerry Jeff, Waylon, and Jamey Johnson. To the understandable lament of his publicist, this artist doesn't fit into the Caitlin Rose, Deer Tick, Tristen world of "indie" country music, and similarly doesn't match the gigantic character of a Jamey Johnson or have a ready-made mainstream country radio hit. Yet, despite lacking a clear-cut home in this current music landscape Jason Boland and his crack band made a pretty stellar country album - complete with songs about Woody Guthrie and (presumably) the TVA. Not every song on this album is great, and Rancho Alto is not the next Red Headed Stranger. But it doesn't seem Boland strives for that. As his publicist stated, this is just genuine country -- hard-nosed, fun, and ultimately a very rewarding listen.

Caitlin Rose Does It All, Signs to ATO

[mp3] Caitlin Rose: "Own Side Now"

[mp3] Caitlin Rose: "Shanghai Cigarettes"

What can't Caitlin Rose do? After releasing her debut record earlier this year, Own Side Now, Rose took the UK by storm ruffling feathers at NME, BBC and Q Magazine. Shortly thereafter, she returned to the states garnering album reviews from the New York Times, NPR, LA Weekly and more. Doing what a good young artist does best, Rose kept to the road spreading her crystalline voice, cheekily-creative lyrics and southern charm. This Nashville-native was making friends in the right places; ultimately those friendships landed her a record deal with ATO Records. Home, or former home, to such artists as Drive By Truckers, Dawes, My Morning Jacket and Gomez, ATO will add a much needed stiff-label backing to Rose's exponential career path. Soon to join the likes of Justin Townes Earle/Jason Isbell and Hayes Carll on a Fall tour, Rose is poised and positioned for continued success; keep your eye on her...we have for the past four years and it is paying off.

Tour dates with Justin Townes Earl/Jason Isbell and Hayes Carll after the jump!

Down On The Bikini Line

[mp3] Jonny Corndawg: "Chevy Beretta"

The world is a better place for having Jonny Corndawg in it. Before we even got a glimpse of his excellent new album Down on the Bikini Line (coming out 8/30 on Thirty Tigers) we heard tales of the wit, friendliness, humor and generosity that accompanied Corndawg's crisp songwriting style and homages to past country music greats. After purchasing some of his amazing hand-crafted leather products (BUY THEM) and hearing an advance of the record, we were full converts.

Corndawg, without lapsing into cheesy ironic tropes, manages to remind us all to not take ourselves so seriously all the time. Music can be quality, while still being fun an uplifting. Not everything needs to consist of found VHS analog footage spliced with arty black and white vignettes and dark minor key melodies. Moreover, Country music has a long history of humor in its catalog. While nodding to the likes of George Jones and Waylon Jennings, Jonny Corndawg keeps his sound current and relevant - writing tight tunes with lyrics like "when a Ford man turns to Chevy, an angel gets its wings." Special shout out to special Nashville friends like Caitlin Rose who make some awesome guest appearances here. Click here for national tour dates.

Caitlin Rose: "Faithless Love"

Caitlin Rose - Faithless Love by theory 8 records

Not sure whether this is new, or just new to us. Caught it on Twitter this AM. Either way, it's great and we wanted to share. Here Caitlin Rose covers JD Souther's timeless "Faithless Love" popularized by Rose idol Linda Ronstadt on her '74 classic Heart Like a Wheel. Love it. Rose's excellent debut album Own Side Now is out now on Theory 8 Records. Click the above link for Caitlin's US dates, including hometown favorite, the Philadelphia Folk Fest, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! August 18-21.

Caitlin Rose Announces US Dates

2 New York shows! You already know how much we love her upcoming album... Tour dates including SXSW after the jump.

NASHVILLE, TN – Caitlin Rose will kick off her US tour in Austin during SXSW, followed by eleven dates opening for Ron Sexsmith and then off of Australia for some dates with The Felice Brothers. Upon return, Caitlin will continue her US tour with sixteen dates opening for Johnny Flynn.

Rose’s full-length debut, Own Side Now, will be released on March 15, 2011 on Theory 8 Records with marketing and distribution provided by Thirty Tigers/RED. Rose co-produced the record with Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Will Oldham & Andrew Bird) & Skylar Wilson (Justin Townes Earle).

Vince's Top 35 Albums of 2010 + Top 7 EPs of 2010

This was a big year for me, Matt and this blog in so many different ways. Striving for perfection is something I think everyone can rally around; for me, that was a big part of 2010. Take it as you will. I am not going to make this list general, or objective. This is my list. This is 2010 in music the way I saw it. There were a lot of major releases that moved the needle and you know who they are. There were some artistic, introspective, highly controversial, and spectacular records put out that aren't mentioned here. That's fine. Because you have your favorites...we all do. These are mine and I hope you enjoy.

Don't forget to check out Matt's list HERE if you haven't already.

RESPECTFULLY LISTED:

Phosphorescent – Here’s To Taking it Easy
Alejandro Escovedo – Street Songs of Love
The Bird and the Bee – Interpreting the Masters Vol 1: A Tribute to Hall and Oates
Dominique Young Unique – Domination Mixtape
Jenny and Johnny – I’m Having Fun Now
The Radio Dept. – Clinging to a Scheme

TOP 35 ALBUMS OF 2010:

35. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
(Because I could.)

34. Old 97’s – The Grand Theatre Volume One
(When a band works this hard, you must.)

33. Sakert! – Facit
(Surprising. Foreign. Cute girl on the cover making an awkward face.)

32. Javelin – No Mas
(Luaka Bop puts out records that I want to buy. Javelin was one of those.)

31. Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
(Delicate, yet empowered. She knows what she's doing and what she wants. Go get it.)

30. Lissie – Catching a Tiger
(Beautiful voice, smart songwriting, gem of a person. Destined for great things.)

29. Deluka – You Are the Night
(My most seen band of 2010. Their record is dance in shrink wrap. You want this.)

28. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt
(When isn't it a good time to listen to this record?)

27. Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone
(A legend revamped. Can't get this wrong.)

26. Drive By Truckers – The Big To-Do
(Never will DBT be left off my Best of List. Never should they deserve to be.)

25. Oh No Ono – Eggs
(Find me another Best Of list with this on it. Great record. Flew under the radar, but not under mine.)

24. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
(Ok. I get it. I'll bite. No pun intended.)

23. Glasser – Ring
(This record found itself in all the right places, including my hands. Well done, well-crafted and well...it's #23.)

22. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
(You know them. You love them. I give you, another great Deerhunter record.)

21. Crocodiles – Sleep Forever
(Ah the Crocs. Get agnsty, get into it. Rock N' Roll baby!)

20. The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang
(They are your band. The band you can taste. They are one of us. They are The Gaslight Anthem.)

19. Dylan LeBlanc – Pauper’s Field
(Beggars can pick them. This youngster has the song writing ability of a Townes, the voice of Ray Lamontagne and is well on his way to an exciting career.)

18. David Byrne & Fatboy Slim – Here Lies Love
(This record makes sense to me. I get it. I like it in the Summer. I like it in the Winter. I like it because it makes me feel good. Get on board or get the hell out. Did I forget to mention it is David Byrne? Come on people.)

17. Sleigh Bells – Treats
(This record sounded and sounds like nothing else out there right now. The mere fact they broke into the mainstream with that sound is hands down a fantastic achievement. God Bless the music industry when it can produce and rally around a band like this.)

16. Neil Young – Le Noise
(It's Neil Young and Daniel Lanois in the studio, making it work. Stripped down, laid-bare, pick your cliche. This is a near perfect piece of work and is made all the better because I met Lanois during CMJ. Period.)

15. Of Montreal – False Priest
(This album is deep. It has layers. Different musical styles and genres intertwine to create a truly enjoyable listening experience and one you want to continually come back to. Good work my friends.)

14. Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid
(A unique listening experience. Monae's sytle, voice and song writing are extroverted, dangerous and get in the face of the lazy listener. You need to get up for this one.)

13. Caitlin Rose – Own Side Now
(It can be done one way, or it can be done the Caitlin Rose way. Move aside and let the girl do what she does. It's her career, her record and her time to make you believe. It's make-or-break on this debut -- you know where we stand. Go get 'em Cato.)

12. Wavves – King of the Beach
(I don't know which crossroads Nathan went to in order to sell his soul for this record, but we are glad he did. "Convertible Balloon?" Are you fucking kidding me? Well done sir.)

11. Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
(Another...near perfect in every respect. A true pleasure to listen to...Newsom has made converts of non-believers here -- she got it right and we, the listeners, thank you.)



Check out my Top 10 Records of 2010 as well as my Top 7 EPs of 2010 after the jump!!

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MY TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2010:

10. Free Energy – Stuck on Nothing
(This album defined a very interesting time in my life: I found new friends, discovered new parts of my weird little world and this album helped to break down any barriers standing in my way. Stuck on Nothing heightens even the simplest of life experiences -- this gets you where you need to be. That and drugs.)

9. Kisses - The Heart of the Nightlife
(Another life-defining album. I can tell you the exact times, places and situations in which I listened to this album. No matter what was happening to me, The Heart of the Nightlife would extract and allow me to rise above myself, look down, and watch my body move to the beat. What happens between you and this record, stays between you and this record.)

8. Kids of 88 – Sugarpills
(If you haven't already, you'll start to see a trend emerging here. This year was about music that makes you feel good about you. Music that keeps you moving forward. Kids of 88 came out of left field, Australia to be exact, and slapped me in the face. I loved the slap. And continued to slap myself repeatedly, over-and-over throughout 2010. Hurler, please, slap me again.)

7. The Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
(Initially, this album didn't make sense to me. Maybe I was looking for another Neon Bible or Funeral. Ultimately, it came down to the fact that I didn't spend enough time listening...listening and listening hard. I stumbled across "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains" and something clicked in my brain. That song kicked me in the groin. It hurt so good. I stopped to re-evaluate my life and this album immediately afterward. What I found, was that I had been sitting on one of the records of 2010. It makes #7 here, but we all know, this is a #1 album.)

6. The Postelles - The Postelles
(Ever make an amazing mistake? Really stumble across something? Well, when I recognized a girl I went to High School with starring in The Postelle's video for "White Night," I watched the entire video. I started to like the music. Really like the music. Next step, obtain the full-length. Since that moment, it hasn't left my iPod. This is a record you play and people continually ask "Hey. Who is this?" You say the Postelles. They go "Huh." You go, "Yeah." Then, you rock.)

5. Lindstrome & Christabelle – Real Life is No Cool
("Baby I Can't Stop" and "Lovesick" are enough to put this album in the Top 10 on my Best Of list. The rest of the album follows suit accordingly, blasting out electro-pop gem after electro-pop gem. This record makes me feel creative -- it makes whatever you are doing at the time, the right thing to be doing. If you are walking at a steady clip, you are doing it right. Working out? You are doing it right. Don't deny the power of this record, because if you are a loser now, this album can make you cool.)

4. School of Seven Bells – Disconnect from Desire
(I sat in my bedroom on a super-hot July night, blasting my AC with the lights out. I had this album on my iTunes with the iTunes visualizer up. I was 100% sober and I listened to this album straight through, cover-to-cover, twice. I nerded it up, big time. This album can make you a music nerd. It is that good. The word "epic" makes me want to eat my own vomit, but this album is fucking epic. It's a record you sit and respect. You understand this isn't a single driven album, this is a full-length, cohesive effort. Do you get what I am saying? If not, buy this LP and figure it out.)

3. Yeasayer – Odd Blood
("Ambling Alp," "ONE," "Madder Red," "Grizelda." That's only four songs off this special record from a Brooklyn group deserving of something special to happen. I'll be candid -- Yeasyer was not a band I was paying attention to. To be honest, they didn't do anything in the past to make me care. Maybe they did and it wasn't marketed well enough. Regardless, Odd Blood was and is a drug. Like E, or maybe some sort of mushroom-like hallucinogen. You want to take this. Take it. Now.)

2. Delorean – Subiza
(I once hailed this album, an "epic anthem of Summer." I know, vom. But, do you disagree? Have you experienced everything that this Spanish band has to offer? Subiza was a record that made me want the weekend. I yearned for it. I wanted to sit with a beer, listen to this record, BBQ and live like a damn Busch Light commercial. Subiza made me want to don a pair of Wranglers and throw the football with Farve and have the Golden Retriever wreaking havoc in the background. This album was packaged libido -- everything looked good except work when listening. Women, food, you name it. My summer culminated, climaxed and then died after Delorean closed the last Sunday Pool Party. I lived this album for the Summer. It did me well. I thank you Delorean, for putting this out, and making my Summer of 2010.

1. The 1900s – Return of the Century
(Surprised? I hope you are. No, I didn't make this album my #1 for sheer shock factor, but I'll take it if you are shocked. Through my 2010 list, I have touched on albums that were near-perfect, almost perfect, or yes, maybe are perfect in their own way. To me, Chicago's The 1900s and their album Return of the Century hit me like a ton of sand. This did it for me. This was it. I heard this record full-through and something inside me clicked. It was a YES moment. It was like taking the perfect shower only when you stepped out of the hot-comfort, you weren't backhanded by the Stark cold. You can do everything to this record: party a bit, relax, wake up, sleep, sing along, belt hooky choruses...this is an all-purpose record. To be honest, Delorean was easily #1 for me -- hands down. 2010 was drawing to a close, then bam! Return of the Century hit me and I haven't looked back. Thank you, for making the close of this amazing year, that much more enjoyable. From, a fan.)

TOP 7 EPs OF 2010:

1. Tanlines – Settings

2. The War On Drugs – Future Weather

3. Tallest Man on Earth – Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird

4. Lord Huron - Mighty

5. Girls – Broken Dreams Club

6. Summer Camp – Young

7. Highlife – Best Bless