2011 Music Preview

A quick preview of some albums coming out in the first quarter of 2011 and some expected releases for the rest of the year. For updated looks at album release dates, check out the sidebar throughout the year to see when your favorites are slated for official release.

*** List complied courtesy: Consequence of Sound and Metacritic

British Sea Power-Valhalla Dancehall 1/11/11

January 11, 2011

British Sea Power – Valhalla Dancehall [Rough Trade]

Cake – Showroom Of Compassion [Upbeat Records]

N.E.R.D. – The Best of N.E.R.D. [Virgin/EMI]

Tapes ‘n Tapes – Outside [Ibid Records]

Tim Buckley – Tim Buckley [Reissue] [Rhino Records]

Wire – Red Barked Tree [Pink Flag]

January 18, 2011

The Decemberists – The King Is Dead [Capitol Records]

Gregg Allman – Low Country Blues [Rounder Records]

Pearl Jam – Live on Ten Legs [Ten Club]

Robert Pollard – Space City Kicks [Guided By Voices, Inc.]

Smith Westerns – Dye It Blonde [Fat Possum]

Social Distortion – Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes [Epitaph Records]

Tennis – Cape Dory [Fat Possum]

White Lies – Ritual [Geffen/Fict
 

Destroyer-Kaputt 1/25/11

January 25, 2011

Amos Lee – Mission Bell [Blue Note Records]

Cloud Nothings - Cloud Nothings [Carpark Records]

Deerhoof – Deerhoof vs. Evil [Polyvinyl]

Destroyer – Kaputt [Merge]

Gang of Four – Content [Yep Roc]

Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean [Warner Bros.]

John Vanderslice – White Wilderness [Dead Oceans]

The Radio Dept. – Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010 [Labrador/Caroline]


January 31, 2011

Esben & the Witch – Violet Cries [Matador]

The Go! Team – Rolling Blackouts [Memphis Industries]

February 1, 2011

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Live Forever: The Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA, September 23, 1980 [UMe/Tuff Gong International]

George Michael – Faith [Deluxe Edition] [Epic/Legacy]

Matisyahu – Live at Stubb’s Vol. II [MRI]

February 7, 2011

James Blake – Album [Atlas/A&M]

The Streets – Computers and Bl
ues [679/Atlantic

February 8, 2011

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – Tao of the Dead [Richter Scale Records/Superballmusic]

Akron/Family – S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT [Dead Oceans]

Cut Copy – Zonoscope [Modular]

Jessica Lea Mayfield – Tell Me [Nonesuch Records]

Motörhead – The Wörld is Yours [Motörhead Music]

February 14, 2011

Gruff Rhys [of Super Furry Animals] – Hotel Shampoo [Turnstile]

Mogwai-Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will 2/15/11

February 15, 2011

Bright Eyes – The People’s Key [Saddle Creek Records]

The Dears – Degeneration Street [Dangerbird Records]

Drive-By Truckers – Go-Go Boots [ATO]

Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will [Sub Pop]

PJ Harvey – Let England Shake [Vagrant Records]

The Twilight Singers – Dynamite Steps [Sub Pop]

February 22, 2011

Adele – 21 [Columbia Records/XL]

G. Love – Fixin’ To Die [Brushfire Records]

The Low Anthem – Smart Flesh [Nonesuch Records]

Tahiti 80 – The Past, The Present & The Possible [Human Sound Records]

March 1, 2011

Dum Dum Girls – He Gets Me High [EP] [Sub Pop]

Rainbow Arabia – Boys and Diamonds [Kompakt]

March 7, 2011

Primal Scream – Screamadelica [Reissue] [TBA]

R.E.M.-Collapse Into Now 3/8/11

March 8, 2011

Lupe Fiasco – Lasers [Atlantic Records]

Parts & Labor – Constant Future [Jagjaguwar]

R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now [Warner Bros.]

Richard Ashcroft [of The Verve] – The United Nations Of Sound [U.S. Release] [Razor & Tie]

March 15, 2011

Green Day – Awesome As Fuck [CD/DVD] [Reprise Records]

J Mascis [of Dinosaur Jr.] – Several Shades of Why [Sub Pop]

New York Dolls – Dancing Backward in High Heels [429 Records]

March 29, 2011

Generationals – Actor-Caster [Park The Van]

The Mountain Goats – All Eternals Deck [Merge Records]

Peter Bjorn & John – Gimme Some [StarTime International]

Other Possible 2011 Releases:

Aerosmith- [Title TBA]   2011

Fiona Apple- [Title TBA]   Spring 2011

Beady Eye [Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer, and bassist Andy Bell of Oasis]-[Title TBA]   2011

Beastie Boys-Hot Sauce Committee Part 2   Spring 2011

Black Lips-[Title TBA]   2011 (April?)

Blondie-Panic Of Girls   2011

Bush-Everything Always Now   February 2011

Busta Rhymes-The Chemo   2011

The Cars-Sharp Subtle Flavor   2011

Coldplay-[Title TBA]   2011

The Cool Kids-When Fish Ride Bicycles   2011

Death Cab For Cutie-Codes And Keys   Spring 2011

The Duke Spirit-[Title TBA]   2011

Face To Face-Laugh Now, Laugh Later   2011 (January?)

Fleet Foxes-Slaughternalia (Considered Title)   2011

Foo Fighters-[Title TBA]   2011

Hercules and Love Affair-Blue Songs   2011 (January 31?)

Jane's Addiction-[Title TBA]   2011

Lady Antebellum-[Title TBA]   2011

The Mars Volta-[Title TBA]   2011

My Morning Jacket-[Title TBA]   2011

The Offspring-[Title TBA]   2011

Old 97s-The Grand Theatre Vol. 2   May 2011

Outkast-[Title TBA]   2011

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart-Belong   March 2011

Panic! at the Disco-Vices and Virtues   2011 (March 8?)

Plaid-Scintilli (Working Title)   2011

Primus-[Title TBA]   2011-12

Radiohead-[Title TBA]   2011

Red Hot Chili Peppers-[Title TBA]   2011

Santigold-[Title TBA]   2011

Shins-[Title TBA]   2011

Seaweed-Small Engine Repair   2011

Slinky Vagabond-[Title TBA]   2011

Slow Club-[Title TBA]   Spring 2011

The Strokes-[Title TBA]   2011 (March 11?)

Ting Tings-Kunst   Early 2011

U2-Songs Of Ascent   2011

Wilco-[Title TBA]   2011-12

The Wrens-[Title TBA]   2011

Zechs Marquise-[Title TBA]   2011

ZZ Top-[Title TBA]   2011

The Year In Music 2010

Don't fret Cee Lo, 2010 was a good year

Well, it's time to put 2010 to bed. But not before we wrap it up with some favorites, not so favorites, some RIPs, and top posts on station to station in its first year (or eleven and a half months). For as in life as in music, it's nice to have memories but it's even nicer to look forward to what's coming up around the bend next.So before we make a mad dash into 2011, a look back at the year that was 2010....in a roundabout way.





Nine Favorite Songs from 2009 that were totally dig-gable in 2010:
1. Japandroids "Wet Hair"
2. Bear In Heaven "Lovesick Teenagers"
3. Pearl Jam "The Fixer"
4. Phoenix "1901"
5. Grizzly Bear "Two Weeks"
6. Metric "Help, I'm Alive"
7. Mumford & Sons "Little Lion Man"
8. Animal Collective "What Would I Want Sky"
9. Akron/Family "River"

Rip This Joint!

Six 2010 Reissues we probably should all pick up at some point:
1. The Rolling Stones "Exile On Main Street"
2. Spiritualized "Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space"
3. Bruce Springsteen "Darkness On The Edge Of Town"
4. The Cure "Disintegration"
5. Weezer "Pinkerton"
6. Iggy and the Stooges "Raw Power"

Looking forward to more Local Natives in the future..

station to station's favorite new artists of 2010:
1. Local Natives
2. Best Coast
3. Tame Impala

station to station's three big pleasant surprises of 2010:
1. Frightened Rabbit "Winter Of Mixed Drinks"
2. Field Music "Measure"
3. Justin Townes Earle "Harlem River Blues"

station to station's three biggest disappointments of 2010:
1. Blitzen Trapper "Destroyer Of The Void"
2. M.I.A. "Maya"
3. Hole "Nobody's Daugther"

The worst album I heard in 2010:
Sleigh Bells "Treats"

The best album I heard in 2010:
Beach House "Teen Dream"
Complete List of top albums 20-1

My brother Adzilla's Favorite 40 songs of 2010:

"Bring It On" tickled Adzilla's fancy.

1. Bring it On – The Gaslight Anthem
2. Winter Winds – Mumford and Sons
3. Next Girl – The Black Keys
4. Giving Up the Gun – Vampire Weekend
5. Bloodbuzz Ohio – The National
6. Swim Until You Can’s See Land – Frightened Rabbit
7. Fuck You – Cee Lo Green 
8. Power Lies – The Thermals
9. Ambling Alp – Yeasayer
10. How I Got Over – The Roots
11. Little Lion Man – Mumford and Sons
12. The Dreamer – The Tallest Man On Earth
13. Madder Red – Yeasayer
14. Howlin For You – The Black Keys
15. Holiday – Vampire Weekend
16. Sun Hands – Local Natives
17. Living In Colour – Frightened Rabbit
18. O.N.E. – Yeasayer
19. Conversation 16 – The National
20. Cousins – Vampire Weekend
21. Got Nuffin – Spoon
22.  Not In Love – Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith
23. Swim – Surfer Blood
24. It’s Gonna Be I Told You So – The Drive By Truckers
25. What’s It In For – Avi Buffalo
26. Who Knows Who Cares – Local Natives
27. The Difference Between Us – The Dead Weather
28. Modern Man – Arcade Fire
29. White Sky – Vampire Weekend
30. American Slang - The Gaslight Anthem
31. Fall Hard – Shout out Louds
32. Too Afraid To Love You – The Black Keys
33. Airplanes – Local Natives
34. Spanish Sahara – Foals
35. Angela Surf City – The Walkmen
36. Laredo – Band of Horses
37. All Day Daylight – The Morning Benders
38. Our Whole Lives - The Hold Steady
39. Windstorm - School of Seven Bells
40. Titus Andronicus Forever – Titus Andronicus

Favorite Concert of 2010
The National @ Murat Egyptian Room/Indianapolis

Klaxons brought the cat in an astronaut suit but a mediocre musical effort

Favorite Album Cover:
(Tie) Klaxons "Surfing The Void"/Weezer "Hurley"

Favorite News Story In Music:
(Tie) Kings Of Leon Get Shit On/Weezer Petition To Break Up

R.I.P. Mr. Chilton

Ten artists gone in 2010 that will be truly missed:
1. Alex Chilton
2. Captain Beefheart
3. Ronnie James Dio
4. Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse)
5. Doug Fiefer (The Knack)
6. Peter Quaife (The Kinks)
7. Jay Reatard
8. Malcolm MacLaren (Sex Pistols manager and mastermind)
9. Guru
10. Teena Marie



Five Nods to Hip Hop Music in 2010:
1. The Roots-Right On
2. Big Boi-Shutterbug
3. Kanye West-Runaway
4. Janelle Monae-Cold War
5. Erykah Badu-Window Seat

The new Loretta Lynn of country keeps churning out worthy hits.

Five Nods to Modern Country Music in 2010:
1. Miranda Lambert-Me and Your Cigarettes
2. Dierks Bentley-Bad Angel
3. Zac Brown Band-Free
4. Tim McGraw-Felt Good On My Lips
5. Brad Paisley-Water

Tamaryn "The Waves"...loaded in IPOD

Four Albums from 2010 I will check out in 2011 (because I ran out of time):
1. Tamaryn-The Waves
2. The Avett Brothers-Live, Volume 3
3. The Tallest Man On Earth-The Wild Hunt
4. John Legend & The Roots-Wake Up!

Favorite Video Of 2010
The Books-I Didn't Know That  
Complete List of Top Ten Music Videos of 2010

Favorite Ten Songs Of 2010:

The National...on a blood buzz

1. The National-Bloodbuzz Ohio
2. Yeasayer-O.N.E.
3. Foals-Spanish Sahara
4. Beach House-Silver Soul
5. Frightened Rabbit-Swim Until You Can't See Land
6. Vampire Weekend-Cousins
7. Cee Lo Green-Fuck You
8. Tame Impala-Solitude Is Bliss
9. Local Natives-Sun Hands
10. Belle & Sebastian-I Didn't See It Coming




Complete list of top 100 songs of 2010:
Songs 1-20
Songs 21-40
Songs 41-60
Songs 61-80
Songs 81-100

Website Stats: (according to Google Analytics)
Most read posts on station to station:
Overall:
Tim McGraw Setlist

JHO Hall Of Fame Album:
Beatles-Abbey Road

New Music Review:
The Drive By Truckers-The Big To-Do

Top Ten:
Ten Birthday Songs

Artist Spotlight:
The Doors-Speaking Secret Alphabets

The year was...:
The year was 1994

50 States:
Hawaii

Cheers! Thanks for the support. Feel free to subscribe.

email with ideas or topics for the website in 2011:
jhostation@gmail.com

Top 100 Songs Of 2010 (20-1)

A look at station to station's top 20 songs of 2010. If you're looking to catch up on some great material from the past year you simply can't go wrong with one or all twenty of these songs. There is something for anyone in here, trust me. If you want to read and listen to the whole countdown before the top twenty, a look back at the links for songs 100-21:

Top 100 Songs 100-81
Top 100 Songs 80-61
Top 100 Songs 60-41
Top 100 Songs 40-21

And here's the final countdown, 20-1:

20. The Gaslight Anthem-American Slang

The opening title track to The Gaslight Anthem's latest offering doesn't come off as anything new but yet it feels fresh for the fact that it's been awhile since I've heard a band tackle the heart and soul of the American dream in quite some time. When Brian Fallon hangs onto the words in the chorus "you told me fortunes/In American slang" you can't help but make the Springsteen comparisons. Just an old fashioned slice of American pie rock that shows sometimes the best gimmick is just to play like your the most important rock'n roll band in the world.
  The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang by jbcapati 

19. Spoon-Trouble Comes Running

An added bonus to Guided By Voices getting back to tour again is this lo-fi gem on Spoon's "Transference". "Trouble Comes Running" is like coming across an old GBV track that you never knew existed. The porduction is much more bare bones than anything else on the album, but makes the deepest impact with Daniel reminding you that "Here it comes running, trouble come running again". I wonder if Spoon could get by with a whole album full of bare bones production this late in their career. It could be fascinating.
  Spoon - Trouble by artsandcraftsmx 

18. Arcade Fire-Sprawl II (Mountains Over Mountains)

Arcade Fire: Living In The Sprawl

Past anthems ("Wake Up", "No Cars Go") from Arcade Fire gave you that feeling of everlasting euphoria. The best anthem on "The Suburbs" is no different styled with an eighties style synthesizer over walloping beats with Regine Chassagne taking the lead vocals. Chassagne hits your heart as well as your head when she states "Living in the sprawl/Dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains/And there's no end in sight/I need the darkness someone please cut the lights." It plays off as eighties synth pop with some of the best wordplay on "The Suburbs" and that's where it's strength lies through and through.

17. Deerhunter-Desire Lines

There is not another song in recent memory that has had a guitar just slowly go up and down the scale in a simple fashion that all of the sudden turns into this huge vast sound scape of music. "Desire Lines" plays this huge sound so perfectly you can't help but stop and listen and get lost. Bradford Cox hands over vocal duties to Lockett Pundt on this one and he turns in a smooth delivery never getting in the way of the music. On the second half, the vocals are gone and the guitars simply feel like they are multiplying everywhere you listen.
  Desire Lines by mishaz

16. The National-Conversation 16

I have to include the song with the line "I was afraid I'd eat your brains." It's one of the best things on "High Violet" as Matt Berninger paints a picture of family life gone awry with a sense of troubled urgency, "I see the kids are in trouble/I do not know all the troubles for/Give them ice for the fever..." The song pretty much slingshots along a great bassline that leads to Berninger slyly talking about eating his partner's brains and then climaxing with "I am evil!" It's only fitting to put this conversation in the sixteenth spot.
  Conversation 16 - The National by risteardo 

15. LCD Soundsystem-All I Want

Another perfect jaunt from James Murphy on "All I Want", "This Is Happening"'s centerpiece. The song bounces along with Murphy scoring lyrics about a relationship going sour. He comes home to the girl who'll put up with all of his shit and all he wants is her pity and bitter tears. By the second verse the girl has packed up and gone and Murphy's found himself having to start over as shown with the final line "Take me home" being laid down as blips and beeps take over the song. The aggressive beat is accompanied by a fantastic slide guitar that makes the song stand out. So long LCD Soundsystem, it was a short but enjoyable ride.
  LCD Soundsystem - All I Want by Ragged Words 

14. The Roots feat. Joanna Newsom-Right On

The Roots back the book of Right On

I personally couldn't get into Joanna Newsom's "Ys" released a few years ago, an album riddled with over long harp songs. It was admirable at best. But lay down her vocals from "The Book Of Right On" over a Roots back beat and throw in some fantastic rap verses in between, and the thing just takes off. Newsom's wafer voice is the complete opposite to the strong and bold verses "OK, I'm above and beyond hot/My measurement in watts." And sometimes, opposites attract to create something as wonderful as "Right On".
  The Roots feat. Joanna Newsom- Right On by delaneyamach 

13. Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith-Not In Love

A cover song from another cover song from an eighties band called Platinum Blonde. Crystal Castles first version from their 2010 album "Crystal Castles ii" has a nice experimental noise beat going on with lead singer Alice Glass' vocals buried amongst a voice synthesizer. The version that brings this song to a completely new level is when they decided to call on Robert Smith of the Cure to lend his voice over the song. Smith hasn't sung with this much conviction in years and the material suits him fine: "And we were lovers/Now we can't be friends...I'm not in love".
  Crystal Castles - Not In Love (feat. Robert Smith) by deefreitag 

12. The Morning Benders-All Day Day Light

Maybe it's the percussion fills or the get up on this guitar line that catapults this song as a favorite of the year. All i know for sure is it is a winner on a hot summer night to be driving home with the windows down and with lead singer Chris Chu singing in a positively giddy tone "Somewhere someone's calling out my name/somewhere they're can't see me." It's an upbeat, fun song, my favorite from their album "Big Echo" which has a lot of sleeper tunes on it.
  Morning Benders - All Day Day Light by zar 

11. Avi Buffalo-What's It In For

The peaceful, easy feeling that the young ones from Avi Buffalo conjure up on "What's It In For?" drips of adolescent poetry, "Your lips are like little pieces of bacon" or "Should I take you to a function or would you rather be lonely?" But all is forgiven once it gets to a glorious chorus that speaks volumes of how ready for the world the just out of high school Avi Buffalo is. "What's it in for, someone with nothing to do/What's it in for me?" The multi layered vocals fly the ending of this song to the blue sky like a kite on a magnificent day. Yeah, the kids are alright.
  Avi Buffalo - What's In It For by musicmule 

10. Belle & Sebastian-I Didn't See It Coming

B & S write about love

Love doesn't always need to be a complicated thing. In "I Didn't See It Coming", everything is laid out on the table individually to try and figure out. Each instrument and vocal is brought in at specific times to add layers to this poignant song. Sarah Martin's lead on vocals is simply beautiful as she sweetly sings "Money makes the wheels and the world go round". Lead man Stuart Murdoch's counterpart vocals by the end of the song feel so natural "Make me dance I want to surrender" that you really didn't see this song coming...as complicated as love can be, it's even more of a feat to make it into a simple, mature and wonderful song about the complications of love.
  I Didn't See It Coming- belle and sebastion by ThisBandIsSick.com

9. Local Natives-Sun Hands

There is simply one thing that makes "Sun Hands" standout more than anything else on "Gorilla Manor". It's the mid section when everything but the percussion and the vocals are muted and they chant the chorus "And when I can't feel with my sun hands/I promise not to lose her again" and then the instruments come back in full force, heavy and demanding your attention. The rest of the song is much more subdued and enjoyable with a guitar that simply intertwines itself in the percussion, but that midsection is the the catastrophic boom that makes this so special.
  Local Natives - Sun Hands by TAtunes 

8. Tame Impala-Solitude Is Bliss

Without a doubt, the spaciest and trippiest single of the year that still can score nods from casual fans or anyone who appreciates a good rock song. The opening guitar line reminds you of Cream and the vocals scream John Lennon. The chorus "You will never come close to how I feel" plants you in the middle of a hazy, drugged up mind as lead singer Kevin Parker reminds you of "The cracks in the pavement underneath my shoes" and the party going on in his mind. Tame Impala have shortly mastered the trick of good psychedelic rock without being pretentious. Here's to hoping they can continue to harness that energy.
  Tame Impala - Solitude is Bliss by arielwaves 

7. Cee Lo Green-Fuck You

As far as profanity laced tirades from neo-soul artists go, Cee Lo Green takes the prize. It's just about as catchy as Outkast's 2003 "Hey Ya!" and the lyrical wordplay is witty , spunky, and smart: "I guess he's an X-box, and I'm more Atari." But the key thing that holds it all together is Green's convincing vocal delivery, a man who's heart has broken and he wants you to understand the pain he feels. Everyone's been dumped one way or another, "Fuck You" is the most appropriate response that comes to your mind first no matter which way you cut it. Even if throwing in "Forget" in the edit tones it down, it's an all around smash.
  Cee-Lo Green: Fuck You by eradicator

6. Vampire Weekend-Cousins

Vampire Weekend...and their cousins

Coming in around just two and a half minutes, "Cousins" is the song on "Contra" that holds closest to the band's self titled debut. But it ups the ante just a bit by being a little more polished without losing the raw energy found on Vampire Weekend's first album. Drums whiz by quickly, guitars sound like sirens running down the scale and then have the nerve to throw in some church bells at the end. Ezra Koenig's vocal delivery along with the percussion in the verses is the most delightful part of the song. "Contra" had favorites pop up month in and out, "Cousins" held the weight of being the best the longest.
  Vampire Weekend, Cousins by metrobarquisimeto

5. Frightened Rabbit-Swim Until You Can't See Land

A song for the nautical lover in all of us. "Swim Until Can't See Land" conjures up images of North Sea waters, salt in the air and floating on your back. All of these images have a perfect soundtrack as the guitars are just this side of a shanty and lead singer's  Scott Hutchison's very Scottish voice all lends to a song that is majestic and bold as well as warm and cold. It creeps up on anthem quality but doesn't over-blow it. The line "Are you a man or are you a bag of sand?" is perhaps the best introspective question in a song this year. I'm rooting for Frightened Rabbit's career to keep evolving.
  Swim Until You Can't See Land by Frightened Rabbit 

4. Beach House-Silver Soul

With all the great songs on "Teen Dream", I had to step back for a second to figure out which one hit home the most. Remembering how much "Silver Soul" threw me into the mix the first time I heard it, it seemed an obvious choice for the number four spot. A drum that drunkenly marches along like it's about to fall off a cliff, a slide guitar that sounds completely warped as it wobbles along, and Victoria Legrand's haunting vocals in the chorus "It is happening again", all equal one of the most thrilling things I've heard since Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You". I think my heart just skipped a beat.
  Silver Soul-Beach House by jclittlespy

3. Foals-Spanish Sahara

A song that starts off soft and whispered with a sound of a needle hitting the end of a vinyl record and simply lulls you into a relaxed trance. The big payoff is when the song opens up in the middle and it feels like the giant wave you've been staring at in slow motion for the last four minutes has simply engulfed you and the sounds you hear are the ebb furiously crashing onto a beach around you. Yannis Philippakis gives a ghost like vocal reminding you "I'm the ghost in the back of your head." Foals are known to be math rockers because everything is calculated, "Spanish Sahara" breaks that tradition being one of the most free flowing and simply luscious songs of the year.
   Foals - Spanish Sahara by subpop

2. Yeasayer-O.N.E.

Yeasayer: O.N.E.'s enough for number two.

"Odd Blood" by Yeasayer wins the "Hit And Miss" album award of the year. When they missed, it was at times embarassing. When they hit, they brought some absolute stunners to the speakers. "O.N.E." can be found right in the middle of all the mayhem and is the strongest song of the set. It's a pop showing off catchy rhythms and 80's style synthesizers in the vein of New Order when they went completely house on "Technique". The song's theme of overcoming addiction, whether it be to drugs, alcohol, or someone you just don't want to be around anymore, it all works: "You don't move me anymore/And I'm Glad that you don't/Cause I can't take it anymore." Throw in some straight up auto-tune dance beat near the end and it becomes the most dazzling display of music of the year. A song that simply makes you feel alive.
  O.N.E. by Yeasayer by Jordan Chesney

1. The National-Bloodbuzz Ohio

Anyone who is familiar with the National knows that they are probably never going to be a traditional singles band. The song structures usually don't scream the verse-chorus-verse of most singles material. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" is the closest thing they've released to a bona fide single, and what a song it is. The mournful undertones of Matt Berninger low voice set the tone perfectly with a frenzied back-beat and some absolutely stunning horns. "I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe" is something that any middle class, middle aged American can relate to, debt that piles upon debt, and when Berninger follows it with "I never thought about love, when I thought about home" it shows the cracks of the American dream in true colors. My favorite thing to do was sing a couple octaves higher than Berninger through the song as his low end voice becomes the perfect duet partner of any combination. I was extremely excited when I first heard "Bloodbuzz" and it stayed at the top for a good part of the year as my favorite song. And it pays homage to Ohio, a state I've traveled though WAY too much in my lifetime so it's close to home. "I'm on a blood.......buzz" into 2011.
  Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National by clubthemammoth

Top 100 Songs Of 2010 (40-21)

40. Plants & Animals-The Mama Papa

Sometimes I'll see incredible keywords that lead people to my blog. Eg: Drowning in Newport Kentucky with the date. I had twelve keyword hits for "Mama don't know, what the papa don't like" when I reviewed the latest Plants & Animals album. The song is undoubtedly about teenagers going to the basement to do something, well, very 70's Show-ish. And the song itself sounds like Thin Lizzy, which is good enough for me. Yes, that chorus will dig a hole in your brain, a wonderful hole.
  Plants and Animals - The Mama Papa by Music Week 

39. Interpol-Lights

It's a song that builds on a simple desolate guitar lick into a dirge that hangs on to that desolate guitar lick for dear life. The latest Interpol release may not have had enough strong material to keep its head above water, but there is something sinister in Paul Banks' voice when he stately sings "That's why I hold you near." There is mysterious desperation around every corner of "Lights", passageways with no exits. It's climax could either be looked at as a glorious dud or glorious thunder as it fades away. I find it quite charming.
  Interpol - Lights by Dj Golden Rain 

38. Yeasayer-Ambling Alp

Who knew the guys from Yeasayer were in to quotes from boxers from the forties. The great chorus "Stick up for yourself son, never mind what anybody else done" is taken from a line boxer Joe Louis' father told him before fighting Italian Primo Carnera (the things you learn from Wikipedia, true or untrue, who knows). But what a great motivational song nonetheless. The song just whizzes by on great samples, keys and drums and includes a dizzying horn section in the refrain. A song you simply want to keep going back to.
  Yeasayer - Ambling Alp by musicmule 

37. Justin Townes Earle-Harlem River Blues

Justin Townes Earle

A true troubadour of keeping the Americana scene alive, Justin Townes Earle's latest album contained a lot of relaxed bluegrass that you couldn't help but want to go back to track one to listen to the whole thing again. It turns out that first track is "Harlem River Blues" a revival song filled with congregation singers, a laid back rhythm section and a killer chorus sung in a way that would make Johnny Cash or Billy Bragg nod in approval, "Dirty water's gonna cover me over and I'm not gonna make a sound."
  Justin Townes Earle - "Harlem River Blues" by Peter24B 

36. Menomena-TAOS

There are a lot of twist and turns and some uncomprehending lyrics in Menomena's latest album "Mines" but that sort of off putting stamp actually yields some favorable cuts. The best being "TAOS", which sounds best on an AOR radio station...not that any are going to pick it up. The guitar riff is complete seventies stoner rock while the lyrics leave an over confident type feel "I'm not the most cocksure guy, but I get more bold with every smile". A nice song to have in your "Seventies in the new millennium mix".
  Menomena - TAOS by cityslang 

35. The Drums-Forever And Ever Amen

A song that has to be some sort of anthem for the most cocky, soft spoken individuals in America. The guitar is ala Johnny Marr, the keyboards ala New Order and Jonathon Pierce delivers a soft spoken vocal as the song never takes off into the sky like most anthems, but rather just floats around in the space in front of you. When Pierce sings "It's forever, baby it's forever" you have no choice but to believe him, that anthems can be the opposite of bold once in a short while.
  The Drums - Forever And Ever Amen by wwwta 

34. Local Natives-Who Knows Who Cares

Local Natives at times reminds me of the harmonies you'd find on old Crosby, Stills & Nash albums and "Who Knows Who Cares" is a song where the members of Local Natives blend their vocals together in perfect harmony. It bounces along a piano line that is punctuated with angelic strings and lyrics full of wise energy "You could let it down, jump into the river baby, easy as it sounds, not as easily done." Just an all around lovely song all the way down to the final crescendos.
  Who Knows Who Cares by Local Natives 

33. The Black Keys-Tighten Up

Dan Aurebach just doesn't belt out the vocals on the Black Keys hugely successful single "Tighten Up", he delivers them with a feeling of desperation. He's a crooner trying to woo his lady over any way possible. With a backbone of whistles, late sixties blues guitars and a stumbling drum by Patrick Carney, it is just purely irresistible and showed the guys having a little fun with their blues rock garage revival. No wonder it hit number one on a few Billboard charts this year, it's a keeper for years to come.
  Black Keys - Tighten Up by vhernandez 

32. Field Music-Them That Do Nothing

The Brewis brothers of Field Music

The Brewis Brothers from Field Music released "Measure", a double album full of ultra-melancholy songs in the vein of songwriters varied from Andy Partridge to Paul McCartney. While it was a bit long, there was enough variation on it to go back and keep picking out favorites, like roses from a rosebush. My favorite is obviously "Them That Do Nothing" for it's gentle guitar, odd time time signature, and thoughtful lyrics. "Them that do nothing...make no mistakes." That's the truth.
  Field Music - Them That Do Nothing by musicmule 

31. Jonsi-Go Do

Jonsi's lead single "Go Do" from his first solo album "Go", that you literally feel like you're in a garden watching everything spring to life around you. The music itself invokes colors bursting from every note (the flutes take the cake). And lyrically Jonsi offers a lot of hope and good feeling on every syllable he spits out "Go march through crowds/Make your day break". He puts the song best when he says "We should always know that we can do anything." Self motivational and beautiful.
  Jonsi - Go Do by josiahmfilm 

30. The Tallest Man On Earth-The Dreamer

Once in a while you hear a song that just makes you wonder how it hasn't hit the masses eardrums. With a simple electric guitar and lighter induced balladeering, Kristian Matsson's project, The Tallest Man On Earth, took a left turn and wrote a song that was meant to be placed in a large theater with the lights turned off and nothing but a spotlight on Mattson. The line "Sometimes the blues is just a passing bird" is probably the most elegant thing I've heard all year. Mournful and powerful...all at once.
  The Tallest Man On Earth - The Dreamer by everythingstartssomewhere 

29. Les Savy Fav-Sleepless In Silverlake

I'm still not sure why I'm attracted to this song so much. It could be the sly little guitar line against a whooping beat that bolsters the song like a bicycle down a dirt path. Or it could be the fact it's the strongest song I've head this year without a direct chorus. Putting those two points aside I'm going with the lyrical imagery. A place where the kids "teeth are bleached and their tits are tan. L.A." Some seedy suburbs of Los Angeles? Wherever Silverlake is, I'm intrigued. "Root For Ruin" is a fine addition from Les Savy Fav.
  Les Savy Fav - Sleepless in Silverlake by seriousstache 

28. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists-Bottled In Cork

"Bottled in Cork" starts off furiously for thirty seconds and then the next three minutes finds Leo in a comfortable power pop bounce as he trades lines and answers with himself. He hasn't lost the edge of having a political side "On television, Congress crying about abusing pork, a philosophical side "Sometimes the path of least resistance/Will gain you the most" or throwing in an irresistible melody to end with "Tell the bartender/I think I'm falling in love". Less than three and a half minutes, a song definitely bottled in cork.
  Ted Leo And The Pharmacists - Bottled In Cork by cosmicsmile

27. The Drive By Truckers-This Fucking Job

The "Take This Job And Shove It" of 2010, it's Patterson Hood's gem from the Truckers "The Big To Do".  The only difference to the glorified David Allan Coe classic is that the character Hood sings about has no choice but to keep his job. "It ain't getting me further than my next paycheck" he mutters and you believe and feel the workingman's blues. The only upside is the snide chorus, "It's the living and the learning, it makes the difference, makes it all worthwhile". Essential for anyone stuck in a job they just don't hate, they abhor.
  Drive By Truckers - Working this Job by user2470806 

26. Beach House-Take Care

Beach House: On a beach

Victoria Legrand absolutely nails sultry on the final song of Beach House's "Teen Dream". There's something very passionate and romantic in those sultry vocals as she sings "It's no good unless it glows" over music that would be the most beautiful lullaby for a lover or even to put a child at ease before they go to sleep. And when she hits the notes on "I'll take care of you/If you ask me too" in the chorus, well, Beach House has pretty much hit a home run and closed out the best album of the year. Perfect for that rainy day with a loved one.
  Beach House - Take Care by danwick 

25. No Age-Chem Trails

This is like taking one of my favorite songs of all time "Heroes" by David Bowie and speeding it up on an old record player at 78 RPM. The duo No Age treat "Chem Trails" with take turn vocals and a kind of love song type feel represented by, of all things, firecrackers, in the mid section (I honestly don't know of a better euphemism). They duet in one part singing "I'm surrounded by what I feel is safe..." and those words alone make you feel comfort in the whirlwind sound swirling behind them.
  Chem Trails by subpop 

24. The Walkmen-Angela Surf City

The 2004 Walkmen's song "The Rat" has Hamilton Leithauser singing as if his life depends on it over an extraordinarily aggressive beat. Similarities are uncanny with "Angela Surf City" except for two major things. The Walkmen have traded in the aggression for more of a surf rock beat and Leithauser sounds more relaxed and comfortable in his own skin when he belts out the chorus "You took the high road/I couldn't find you!" The Walkmen aren't recycling, they are simply reinventing themselves. That's evolution.
  The Walkmen - Angela Surf City by pigeonsandplanes 

23. Woods-Suffering Season

Woods: Get past the "Suffering Season"

To simply cut to the chase, "Suffering Season" is an anti-suicidal song. The soothing oohss and ahhs at the beginning along with the simply majestic guitars are there to sooth someone who is suffering a lot of inner pain. Jeremy Earl is presenting this vibe to help out an individual get past their suffering season and as joyfully as Earl's frail voice can be, you can't help but smile and enjoy the helpful chorus "Who knows what tomorrow might bring?"
  Woods-Suffering Season by malaise

22. Gorillaz-On Melancholy Hill

With a very bright melody and hook, "On Melancholy Hill" poses as a synth pop slow roller that glistens with every note. Bu then throw in Damon Albarn's understated and "melancholy" vocal approach and you've got a contrast that works in this total lovesick song. It's something that doesn't fall very far from the tree of Blur when they were in top form in the nineties, but yet still feels light years ahead of those britpop days. It's "Plastic Beach"'s centerpiece and, perhaps, the "Waterloo Sunset" for a new generation.
  Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill by Ahmet Gokce Merdun 

21. Yeasayer-Madder Red

From the woos that greet you at the beginning of "Madder Red", you're reminded of the joys that Yeasayer had from their previous album "All Hour Cymbals" which had songs that sounded like they belonged in a Western African campfire. But "Madder Red" ups the ante with cleaner production and very thoughtful lyrics. "Even when my luck is down, I take joy in knowing that our love grows" is the first words you hear. But what makes it stand out is there is a mournful underbelly to the powerful drive of the song. The give and take works in spades.
  Madder Red - Yeasayer by deerskingaliham

Top 100 Songs Of 2010 (60-41)

Another 20! The countdown continues starting with song 60 working our way outside the top 40.

60. No Age-Glitter

It's not too often you get a song that starts off sounding like "My Sharona" and ends up sounding like a great Sonic Youth nugget left behind in a studio in 1994. The two tricks here is the wall of a squealing guitar matched with a bass that only shows up full blown in the chorus. And the line "I want you back underneath my skin" is heartwarming and honest.
No Age, "Glitter" by selftitledmag

59. Hot Chip-I Feel Better

Like having a little elecrtopop dance number pop up on your shuffle once in awhile just to liven things up? Met too! "I Feel Better" has an in your face medley that is so sweet and irresistible, you forget that you've probably heard those synths somewhere familiar before. Do all you can to control your feet because like most Hot Chip songs, you'll find yourself looking for a conga line. This is no exception.
Hot Chip - I Feel Better by HOTCHIP

58. The Gaslight Anthem-The Diamond Street Church Choir

Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem

Sounding like an orphan from the "Born To Run" sessions, The Gaslight Anthem showed many a fan, including Bruce Springsteen, how they've become the heir apparent to the boss. No song shows that better from their album "American Slang" as it practically shuffles you down a boardwalk and to a basement "Where the Jacknives play". It all culminates with a chorus Van Morrison would approve: "Who does it better than we do? Them sopranos in Andy Diamond's choir". The most winning, swinging song of 2010.

57. Caribou-Odessa

It's "Odessa"'s strange and intricate sampling that intertwines itself into a giant pretzel of goodness. Cowbells, something that sounds like a wildebeest in pain, a runaway flute section, a low end bass on the keyboard that sluggishly drives the song along. All these sounds are brought together as lead singer Dan Snaith visits a common tale of a woman who's had enough abuse and has decided to move on. But it never feels tired and the whole thing makes you want to keep going back and getting lost in that pretzel.
Caribou- Odessa by pippsta

56. Here We Go Magic-Collectors

Pretty amazing guitar line that drives Here We Go Magic's "Collectors" down the highway like it's a spring day and you haven't a care in the world. "I've got a mild fascination for collectors" is what lead singer Luke Temple sings along including everything from shrunken heads to wood from Noah's Ark. Not sure if this is an ode to hoarders or not, but anyway you look it at it, it's a breath of springtime air, breathe it in.
Here We Go Magic - Collector by musicmule

55. Deerhunter-Fountain Stairs

"Fountain Stairs" is camouflaged as a cool indie rock song that has more 70's AM influence than anything else. Just listen to the chorus where power chords on the guitar meet with a saxophone in unison to create something menacing, warm, and comforting. And with opening lines "I forgot my book, at the fountain stairs/At a chapter on symmetry, nobody cares" drenched in reverb, you can swirl around in the song or bask in its glory. Speaking of symmetry, lots of great symmetry on "Halcyon Digest".

54. The Morning Benders-Excuses

I almost fell out of my chair last month when I heard a Morning Benders song on TV. Yes, it was instrumental passage from "Excuses" endorsing Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. They are a delicious candy bar, and "Excuses" with it's lazy summer strings, is also delicious. It's a love song "I put no one else above us" with a lot of Beach Boys influence and a huge wall of sound, from the opening crescendo through the bah-bum's in the background vocals. So it's nice to see a band break, I guess, even through a candy bar ad.
The Morning Benders - Excuses by flavatadpole

53. The Thermals-I Don't Believe You

Portland's The Thermals

Urgent, fun, untrustworthy, and lots of ooohs and aahs....it's the Thermals calling card. Their latest album "Personal Life" is full of these three minute power pop medleys that will never go out of style no matter what decade they are released in. And I Don't Believe You may be a one hook pony, but if you ride it for the three plus minutes and like it, there is no shame in that. "There is nothing you can do...."
The Thermals - I Don't Believe You by The Drift Record Shop

52. Shout Out Louds-Fall Hard

Is it the 'I'll back you up, always' sentiment in the beginning of the chorus "If you fall hard, I'll fall harder" or is it the 'Let me down again' line at the end of the chorus "I'll pick up the pieces and mistakes" that you identify yourself with more. I think we've all been in one corner or the other, but not so close together. "Fall Hard" also sounds immediate as the Shout Out Louds never try to give a huge sense of urgency. So you can sit back, reflect, and let those horns ride on down the stream.
  Shout Out Louds - Fall Hard by chris_hillary 

51. The Roots-Now Or Never

The chorus in "Now Or Never" pretty much sums up the trying to overcome odds and adversity atmosphere of their 2010 effort "How I Got Over": "Everything's Changing Around Me/And I Want To Change Too....I Feel Different Today/I Don't Know What Else To Say/I'm Gonna Get My Shit Together/It's Now Or Never". It's a song that wakes up everyday vowing to make a whole-hearted difference but the verses "Opportunities Lost Because I Blew Them" are full of pessimism. The great hip-hop balancing act.
  05 - The Roots - Now Or Never by thiagoney 

50. The Black Keys-Everlasting Light

Falsetto vocals and hand claps. Check and check. Well those are two good traits to start any album with, but then throw in a little shoops and you've got some good gravy. "Everlasting Light" led off "Brothers" and it rightfully showed off a little more polished side of the band. And don't forget, Daniel Auerbach spends the whole song awkwardly cooing his love interest: "Let me be your everlasting light/The sun when there is none/I'm a shepherd for you." A minor "Let's Get It On", doncha think?
  Everlasting Light/The Black Keys by Neuroid 

49. Best Coast-Boyfriend

Lead singer Bethany Cosentino plays the part of the lovesick girl perfectly. But while the idea may seem a bit trite, the song shows an honest side of a girl having troubles with self esteem and jealousy "The other girl is not like me, she's prettier and skinnier" as well as self confidence "She has a college degree/I dropped out when I was seventeen". A lot of songs play off this theme on "Crazy For You" but the thing that keeps it together is it's earnest. And how about that wicked So-Cal guitar line.
  Best Coast - Boyfriend by Ragged Words

48. Beach House-Norway

The tribal beats that start off "Norway" give way to hushed chants and a slide guitar that feels like it is being played with a giant saw. Victoria Legrand gives out her best vocal performance on "Teen Dream" as she teases the title of the Scandinavian country and the whole refrain in the middle where she croons "Where you think you're gonna run to now/With the beating of a tiny heart" is simply breathtaking.
  Beach House | Norway by daughters 

47. Band Of Horses-Laredo

A song that seems so familiar on first listen, like it's been around for ever, but yet slowly creeps into your heart with the first lines "Gonna take a trip to Laredo" giving it a road trip kind of vibe. Deep down there is a real loneliness that creeps in: "I'm at a crossroads with myself/I don't got no one else". The guitar solo in the middle brings it to another level as well and it turns out to be pleasing for anyone who enjoys a good American traditional rock song.
  Laredo by bandofhorses

46. Foals-Miami

Foals "Miami Bad"

The percussion at the beginning of the up tempo "Miami" plays to a sort of South Beach crowd and the guitars play off that beat throughout this exceptional song. But the underlying message of the song is one of betrayal as stated in the chorus "Would you be there for me? Would you betray me, save me, save me from you?" So if the music propels "Miami" along like a beach song, and the lyrics are bitter to a point where the line "Miami bad" is repeated over and over, we've got the best contradiction song of the year. And it's danceable.
  Foals - Miami by Electric Audio

45. Grinderman-Palaces Of Montezuma

With all the sleazy little tales that litter "Grinderman 2" leave it to Nick Cave to bring a proclamation of love near the end of the album. His gifts include everything from the hanging gardens of Babylon to the spinal cord of JFK wrapped in Marilyn Monroe's negligee. And then Grinderman brings a super sweet chorus "C'mon baby lets get out of the cold, and give me your precious love to hold." Sometimes, it's the love song you remember most from the grueling tales of pulp fiction, and that's the case here.
Grinderman * Palaces of Montezuma by thefoxymoron

44. Arcade Fire-The Month Of May

Definitely the most direct, hard rock song on "The Suburbs", "The Month Of May" moves along at a furious speed with eighties root guitars and a fantastic rhythm. Win Butler portrays the band leader painting an autobiography of the band making a record to get the kids from the suburbs to raise their arms to their music. "But the kids are still standing with the arms folded tight" adds the tension until Butler asks "How you gonna lift it with your arms folded tight?" Infectious and Arcade Fire at their tightest.
  Arcade Fire - Month Of May by RocknRollGhost

43. Vampire Weekend-Giving Up The Gun

Ezra Koenig slyly throws out "When I was 17, I had wrists like steel, and I felt complete" giving a strange feeling of nostalgia until the realization of not being that young sets in "And now my body fades, behind a brass charade, and I'm obsolete." It's no secret when you bring a song that seems simple on face value but throw in complex and thought provoking lines, you'll have something special. "Giving Up The Gun" works that formula flawlessly and effortlessly.
  08. Giving Up The Gun - Vampire Weekend by RowanSmith1

42. Dum Dum Girls-Jail La La

Dum Dum Girls-La La La La La

So many influences (Siouxsie Sioux, the Supremes, the Jesus and Mary Chain) culminate into some really good tunes on "I Will Be", "Jail La La" being my favorite of the bunch. Lead singer Dee Dee tells a tale of ending up in jail but doesn't want her mother and father to know. The bittersweet chorus looking for help from her love "Someone tell my baby/Or else he won't know I need saving" is stunning. A song for the teenager in trouble with the law no matter what decade it is, "Jail La La" transcends generations.
  Jail La La - Dum Dum Girls by ladufurrena

41. The New Pornographers-Crash Years

"Together"'s finest moment. Neko Case leads the charge on this one with so many memorable one liners "Traffic was slow for the crash years" and "Tonight will be an open mic". It again shows what a wonderful vocalist Case is. Musically, it is full of everything from the wonderful strings to an all out whistle solo. When the New Pornographers are on point, they create winning pieces like this.