I have been a fan of Cake for a very long time. Since 6th grade to be exact. Comfort Eagle is one of my favorite albums of all time. So I was incredibly excited when I heard they would be finally releasing a new LP. Then, I heard the single "Sick Of You", and to be honest I was disappointed. It didn't catch my attention at all. It actually made me apprehensive about buying Showroom of Compassion. But I decided to put some trust in my history with them and purchase it anyways. (The physical copy of Showroom comes with a temporary tattoo, by the way. Which is such a Cake thing to do.)
The first 5 or 6 tracks were decent.. I wasn't blown away or drawn in, but it felt good to hear new Cake nonetheless. I was starting to worry that I had paid fifteen bucks for a temporary tattoo when, after the single "Sick Of You", the album TOOK THE EFF OFF. The rest of Showroom was exactly what I had been hoping for, if not more. John McCrea's voice has gotten noticeably better. He belts it this time around. He still has that lovable singing/talking quality, but on Showroom there are a few different places where he really lets it all out. The guitar riffs, bass lines, and percussion have always been money for Cake. They still are. The horns are still present in a big way, as is the classic rattling noisemaker that seems to slip its way into every Cake song.
The best way I can sum up my experience with Showroom is to draw upon the similarity of reuniting with an old friend. You run into them in the airport or bump into them at the store; time has taken its toll, and you've drifted apart. But you sit down for a chat anyways, for old times sake. The first little while they tell you their stories, and to be honest you aren't that interested, but you nod your head and listen to be courteous. But then they say something or show a mannerism that reminds you why you loved them and their company in the first place. After that, the talk comes easy and naturally. You start to rebuild the bridge. Cake closes with "Italian Guy" -- Showrooms version of their classic song "Opera Singer". It's the perfect way to send you off. And as with that old friend, in the end you are reminiscing old times, laughing until you have tears in your eyes.
The Showroom of Compassion is showcasing an older, wiser, more mature Cake. They have experienced more, and they are more weathered. But the underlying charm they have always had is still there. It just has a more emotional twist to it. Both the album and the band, are better for it.
Why? Out of every EP/LP of 2010 - Dom's- Sun Bronzed Greek God's - had the most replay-ability to me. I STILL listen to it almost daily. I STILL walk around humming the catchy hooks that pervade each and every song. Dom was a new find for me and they were a breath of fresh air. I was in San Diego the week after I had purchased the work and I can look back and fondly remember cruising the streets blasting "Living In America".. /It's so sexy to be livin' in America/It's so sexy/Baby, we're livin' in America./ Favorite Song(s): It's a tie between Living In America, Rude as Jude, and I Wonder.
Why? This year was the year of The Tallest Man On Earth for me. I found him through this album, but it isn't my favorite of his work. But I must confess, he is my favorite musician of all time. Therefore even when he releases something that isn't one my favorites of HIS, it is still one of my favorites nonetheless. Every listen through of The Wild Hunt, makes me love it even more. It grows and grows on you. As does The Tallest Man On Earth. He is already my favorite, yet I am baffled by new things in his music each and every listen. Favorite Song(s):Burden of Tomorrow or Drying of the Lawns
Why?Gorilla Manor was a huge surprise for me. The songwriting is incredible. The spirit of the band is felt on each and every song. When I first came across them, I had no idea that my next few months would be consumed by a sheer love for their music. So of course I went and saw Local Natives as soon as they came to town. Wow. I have never been to a better show. Suckers opened and I'm sorry to say I was wildly disappointed. Baffled is the word that comes to mind. Their front man was a mix of drunk/high out of his effing mind. But Local Natives literally saved the night. My group of friends left in unanimous agreement: Best show any of us had ever been to. More than any other band I found this year, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Local Natives. Favorite Song(s):Who Knows Who Cares is my favorite song of 2010.
4. Big Boi - Sir Lucious Leftfoot; The Son Of Chico Dusty
Why? This is my favorite rap album I have ever come across. It is unique in so many different ways. It feels as if Big Boi recorded this album just for fun and then later though "eh what the hell?" and released it. It is so lighthearted and easy to listen to. No matter what song put on, you can dive right in and get lost in the music. He changes his flow (again, presumably for the shits and giggles) on every single song. The samples he raps over are incredible. Instrumentally the album is just as strong as his actual rap, which is really saying something. It's funny, witty, and completely mind blowing in all the right places. Favorite Song(s):Shutterbug or The Train pt. 2
Why? To be quite honest, I usually have trouble getting into a girl singer. That wasn't the case at all with Glasser. Ring is wonderful. Cameron's voice is beautiful and she uses it as if it were just another instrument to build on her massive sounding songs. Lets be frank - her songs kick ass. As I said in my review of Ring, It sounds as though Fever Ray and Animal Collective made hot love and had one helluva kid. Its sound lands somewhere between tribal/techno. It makes you want to let go and be free of everything. Favorite Song(s):Apply
Why?This album was completely snubbed in my opinion. Most underrated album of 2010. Everywhere I went all I saw was negative press about Sidewalks. I honestly wasn't a huge fan of Matt & Kim back in the day. This album completely changed my opinion of them. The biggest complaint I came across was "They aren't the cute and bubbly pair we all know and love anymore! (lulz)" What? How can that possibly be a complaint about a band? They grew. They became more serious (and quite frankly more talented) in their music. I found nothing to complain about with this album. I thought that the big production sound suited the duo perfectly. With Sidewalks, they took someone who wasn't a fan, and made me excited about everything they have done, and are doing. Favorite Song(s): Tie between Cameras, Red Paint, Where You're Coming From, Good For Great, and Ice Melts.
Why? Because it's The Black Keys. Because Dan Auerbach has more soul in his left kneecap than most people have in their entire body. Because Patrick Carney plays the hell out of the drums each and every song. They are the most powerful duo I have ever come across. Actually in this album, they use more instruments than they normally do. And I love it. I have been a big fan of The Black Keys for a long long time now, and this is my favorite release they have had since The Rubber Factory (which is my favorite Black Keys album). Dan Auerbach's new found falsetto is amazing. When I first him sing on Everlasting Light, I literally said NO WAY!! aloud. In fact the majority of the songs on Brothers leave you saying NO WAY to whoever is with you. Favorite Song(s): Everlasting Light, Next Girl, Too Afraid To Love You, or Tighten Up.
Why? I have been a Killers fan right from the get go. Particularly front man Brandon Flowers' showmanship. So I was very excited when I heard he was releasing Flamingo. Actually, I kind of greeted the album with low expectations. I wasn't sure how he would be without the band backing him. So when I listened to it I was surprised to find that he can more than pull it off on his own. It almost makes me wonder how much he writes for The Killers because Flamingo sounds incredible. His lyrics and melodies are always on point, but I was shocked at how well it came together instrumentally as well. Brandon Flowers has proved to be an incredible musician throughout his career and I am excited about the future of The Killers as well as his solo work. Favorite Song(s): Magdalena, Swallow It, Jacksonville or Right Behind You
Why? As much as I love this album I can't bring myself to say that it was the best of the year. I think the Kanye West story is the best of the year but that's it. Anyway, I have always been a fan of Kanye. Although I didn't purchase 808's and Hearbreaks because it didn't appeal to me at all. Other than that I have all of his work, and I must say, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is my favorite Kanye album so far. He shows why he is regarded as one of the best producers in the game. Instrumentally this album is incredible. Of course the rapping is phenomenal as always. Kanye came through in a huge way with this work. It feels truly epic. Favorite Song(s):Dark Fantasy, Devil In a New Dress, or Blame Game.
Why? This album snuck up on me. I read some favorable reviews and I liked what I had heard enough that I decided to go ahead and buy it. After my first play through I thought that it was alright.. nothing too special. But it pulled me in enough that I listened through again, and the second time around I truly fell in love with Forget. I was drawn in by every song. It has a subtle catchiness that I had missed on that first play through. Yellow Balloon really opened me up to the rest of the album. It reminds you of being a child but in a really creepy way. And by the time I had gotten back around through the album again I had already decided it was one of my favorites of the year. Favorite Song(s):Yellow Balloon, Forget, or I Can't Wait
I first came across Glasser (Cameron Mesirow), around the beginning of this year. But all that I listened to were a few remixes she had done. I didn't think to much of it. What a mistake that turned out to be! When I found out she was releasing an album "Ring" I decided to have a listen. It was good. It was REALLY good. I must say I was more excited about this album than anything else I have heard this year. So obviously when it came out I purchased it as soon as possible. I'm happy to say that it didn't let me down in the slightest.
I can't describe the feelings I felt when I first heard "Apply" or "Home" or any other song on the album, for that matter (seriously, pick one at random, they are all phenomenal). But I would have to say that album opener "Apply" is my favorite at the end of the day. It is the - would be - byproduct of Fever Ray and Animal Collective having a sweet, sweet baby.
Among the many standout tracks this album provides, another favorite of mine would have to be "Mirrorage". Cameron has you moving with the music without even realizing it. Whether you are bobbing your head, bouncing your feet, or dancing like an ass in the middle of your room, your body begs you to groove to this album. Her voice floats over the complex rhythms that she makes seem so effortless.
It is truly hard for me to choose only two songs off of "Ring" to share with you, as I find it to be a total masterpiece. Glasser's music (vocally, instrumentally, lyically) is so complex and startlingly beautiful, it feels as though she has painted you a visual image. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her. Cameron Mesirow truly captured me with "Ring" and I would recommend it to anyone with ears.
I'll be honest. While I have been hearing hype about Best Coast for a long time now, all of the little snippets of them I was hearing/reading weren't catching my interest. Eventually I decided to delve a little deeper into their music catalog and I came across the song "Boyfriend". It opened my eyes a little more and led me to start appreciating their sound. I decided to purchase their latest work "Crazy For You" and I was not disappointed.
The album opens with the previously mentioned, and my personal favorite song by Best Coast - "Boyfriend". Bethany Cosentino's voice soars and dives, in one of the hook(-iest) vocals I have ever heard.
Lyrically "Crazy For You" isn't challenging. The songs all land somewhere between missing you, being lazy, and smoking weed. But as an album to wrap up your summer, you couldn't ask for anything better right? I usually am not too keen on a girl singer with a rock format but something about Bethany's voice and Bobb Bruno's riffs leave you feeling like rock was meant to be this way.
In a few places some of the songs start to blend together, but considering that only 1 song on the entire album breaks the 3:00 minute mark (and it does so by just 2 seconds), you can treat those songs as if they were meant to be one. It's a perfect summer album, the rhythms and melodies are carefree, while the lyrics deliver a odd mixture of seriousness and playfulness. A perfect example being: /I lost my job/I miss my mom/I wish my cat could talk./Every time you leave this house/Everything falls apart./ In the end, "Crazy For You" is definitely worth the money and Best Coast is definitely worthy of the hype.
- Best Coast - "Crazy For You" released July 27th, 2010 via Mexican Summer.
I had always figured Andre 3000 to be responsible for the wacky portion of Outkast. This album blew that theory (and my mind) to pieces. It's ridiculous. It's completely off the wall. It's perfect. In fact, everything falls into place with such ease and style that I am forced to wonder if it was luck, or if Big Boi is a complete genius. I'm going to assume that it's a healthy dose of both.
With a songs like "Shutterbug" it's near impossible not to be in love with the album. Big Boi uses beat's and rhythms that are unlike anything you have ever heard.
The album also has a huge lineup of guests, featuring acts like T.I., Jamie Foxx, and Janelle Monae. It's not just straight music. A few places in between songs Big Boi does some detective work, busting a drug deal. Other songs start off - like "Be Still" (ft. Janelle Monae) - with some dialogue. Most of it, like the majority of the album, have sexual undertones.
In the end, you're left feeling upset that the album is over. You want more. But the beauty of it is, every time you listen to a track from "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty", it feels like the first time. I must say that this album's wittiness, originality, and sheer genius - land it in the number 1 spot for my favorite rap album of all time. Big Boi changes his flow in nearly every song, proving that he isn't just your every day rapper. /It's that nigga the B.I.G. B.O.I. O.U.T./
"Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty" released July 6th, 2010 via Def Jam.
I was upset when I heard that TheHarlem Shakes had broken up. I thoroughly enjoyed "Technicolor Health".
They truly didn't get the recognition they deserved and their debut album was incredible.
But I'm more than a little surprised that Todd Goldstein wasn't featured a little more on the album. I mean, I know he was the guitarist after all, but his voice especially. Don't get me wrong, I love the uniqueness of Lexy Benaim's voice, but I was caught off guard at how great Goldstein's pipes are. On "Arms EP" his voice soars and dives, and before you know it, you are singing the tunes in your shower.
The project has been around since even before The Harlem Shakes, but before he did all of the instruments himself. Now that the Shakes are donezo, he got himself a full band, and really started to get his hands dirty.
One of the first things you notice is that Goldstein has a great mind when it comes to catchy music, and hooky songs. Songs that you can't get out of your head. But in this case, it isn't a bad thing. Not at all.
The EP starts off with "Floaters", which instantly caught my attention. The guitar - as to be expected - is wonderful. The chorus feels powerful while not feeling too overpowering. Goldstein sings \You're born under a bad sign\Just wait until your luck runs out\. The song has a sad, yet optimistic feel to it.
The next song, and my favorite off of the EP, is "Heat & Hot Water". It starts off dark and deep, and constantly builds. His voice bouncing and waving, Goldstein sings \Are you at peace\When you're feeding the beast\Wherever we go?\. This song, to me at least, is the catchiest of the album. Even after just one listen, you find yourself humming the chorus for the rest of the day.
Overall I would say I enjoyed "Arms EP" more than I enjoyed The Harlem Shakes "Technicolor Health". Every song on the EP is absolutely wonderful. You could listen to it over and over again and still enjoy the ins and outs of every song. But we'll have to wait and see until the Arms full album comes out. They are currently working on it and it is going to be called "Summer Skills". I cannot wait to see what it brings.
