Best Albums of 2010: 10-1

10. Beach Fossils by Beach Fossils

9. Swim by Caribou

8. My Twisted Dark Fantasy by Kanye West

7. Treats by Sleigh Bells

6. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

5. Forget by Twin Shadow

4. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter

3. High Violet by The National

2. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem

1. Teen Dream by Beach House

Best Albums of 2010: 25-11

25. The Fool by Warpaint

24. White Magic by ceo

23. Black City by Matthew Dear

22. Fang Island by Fang Island

21. Lisbon by The Walkmen

20. Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene

19. Contra by Vampire Weekend

18. Gorilla Manor by Local Natives

17. Heartland by Owen Pallet

16. $O$ by Die Antwoord

15. King of the Beach by Wavves

14. Crazy For You by Best Coast

13. One Life Stand by Hot Chip

12. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi

11. Go by Jonsi

Best Albums of 2010: 50-26

50. Lucky Shiner by Gold Panda

49. Clinging to a Scheme by The Radio Dept.

48. There Is Love In You by Four Tet

47. Avi Buffalo by Avi Buffalo

46. Sit Down, Man by Das Racist

45. Maya by M.I.A.

44. The ArchAndroid by Jonelle Monae

43. Gemini by Wild Nothing

42. Odd Blood by Yeasayer

41. Causers of This by Toro Y Moi

40. Ring by Glasser

39. Stridulum II by Zola Jesus

38. Astro Coast by Surfer Blood

37. Have One On Me by Joanna Newsom

36. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus

35. Big Echo by The Morning Benders

34. Crystal Castles by Crystal Castles

33. Innerspeaker by Tame Impala

32. Les Chemins De Verre by Karkwa

31. Body Talk by Robyn

30. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

29. In Evening Air by Future Islands

28. All Day by Girl Talk

27. Everything In Between by No Age

26. Mines by Menomena

Best Tracks of 2010: 25-1

25. Panda Bear - Slow Motion

24. Beach House - Zebra

23. The National - Terrible Love

22. Arcade Fire - Rococo

21. Sleigh Bells - Riot Rhythm

20. The National - Conversation 16

19. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Bright Lit Blue Skies

18. Wild Nothing - Chinatown

17. Glasser - Apply

16. Big Boi - Shutterbugg (Ft. Cutty)

15. Wavves - King of the Beach

14. Surfer Blood - Swim

13. Owen Pallet - Tryst With Mephistopheles

12. Hot Chip - Hand Me Down Your Love

11. Caribou - Odessa

10. Broken Social Scene - World Sick

9. Best Coast - Boyfriend

8. Twin Shadow - Tether Beat

7. Beach Fossils - Golden Age

6. LCD Soundsystem - All I Want

5. Die Antwoord - Enter The Ninja

4. Beach House - Norway

3. Deerhunter - Helicopter

2. Yeasayer - Amblin' Alp

1. Kanye West - All of the Lights

Best Tracks of 2010 : 50-26

50. Toro Y Moi - Imprint After

49. Future Islands - Inch of Dust

48. The Morning Benders - Promises

47. Warpaint - Undertow

46. Tame Impala - Desire Be Desire Go

45. LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls

44. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Heart In Your Heartbreak

43. Sufjan Stevens - Too Much

42. M.I.A. - XXXO

41. Kanye West - Power

40. Cee-Lo - Fuck You

39. No Age - Fever Dreaming

38. Twin Shadow - Castles in the Snow

37. Yeasayer - O.N.E.

36. Matthew Dear - Little People (Black City)

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

34. Caribou - Leave House

33. ceo - All Around

32. Local Natives - Camera Talk

31. The Walkmen - Angela Surf City

30. Jonelle Monae - Tightrope (Ft. Big Boy)

29. Beach House - Walk In The Park

28. Jonsi - Lilikoi Boy

27. LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean

26. Vampire Weekend - Giving Up The Gun

Featured Artist: Twin Shadow

Twin Shadow

George Lewis Jr. is a twenty-something Floridian that was transplanted from the Dominican Republic when he was a child. None of these characteristics are seen in his music. The sound of Twin Shadow is what I would call "ghostly nostalgia from someone who attended high school dances in the late 80s". It's influenced by Joy Division, The Smiths and Wild Beasts. It's dynamic, smooth, and hits in all the right places. It's simply eloquent.

The debut album is entitled Forget, which I am sure you will be keen on not doing after a few listens. Chis Taylor from Grizzly Bear does a marvelous job with production and Lewis Jr. writes and preforms everything on the album. The album is like something out of Michel Gondry movie. Soaring beats, energetic rhythms, and lofty lyrics create a sound that surrounds the mind in a glowing fashion. Forget is top to bottom filled with moving tracks that should entertain most, if not, all listeners. I can't wait to get it on vinyl!

The name Twin Shadow comes from having a twin sister who he is very close with and the fact that he was a bit of a loner in his childhood. He professes that he had a normal upbringing though. He says he is making up for it now. In an interview with Rolling Stone he had this to say about his new life, "I 'm living the dream of a rock and roller, which includes getting kicked out of hotel pools, being plied with drugs by "creepy" fans and waking up in the middle of a festival after devouring pot brownies and passing out in a park. We [his live band] did everything Duke Ellington's band would have done." Sounds pretty awesome to me.

Tracks to Check Out:

-Castles in the Snow

-Tether Beat

-At My Heels

-Forget

(I want to dedicate this article to Jason Boone who lost his job in a tragic United Way accident)

Review Session: The Mini-Blitz

I only have three records for review so this is the mini-blitz.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

Three albums up and three home runs accredited to Deerhunter. 2007's Cryptograms really started a movement for into the softer, darker indie rock scene that has lead me to bands such as Liars, Dan Deacon and well Atlas Sound. 2008's Microcastle brought about a bigger, better Deerhunter with a little more riff in the guitar and a little more beat on the drum. Let's not forget Nothing Ever Happened as well, which in my opinion is one of the best tracks of the 2000's. However, it 2010's Halcyon Digest that creates a full and complete album by this Atlanta quartet. It's dynamic, provocative, and most importantly very enjoyable. It's a great album to listen to in the early evening when the sun is fading. Trust me!

Rating = 8.9

Sleigh Bells - Treats

The essence of the phrase "Rock out with your Cock out" is experienced in Sleigh Bell's indie rap-rock duo collaboration. Treats is more than loud beats, heavy screams, and nasty guitar riffs. It's the start of something special. The sky is the limit with Sleigh Bell's. I know this album came out a while ago, but it hasn't been until lately that I have begun to realize the impact that it WILL have on the music world. The is no way Sleigh Bell's should ever make a bad album and I am so excited to see what the do next!

Rating = 8.7

Interpol - Interpol

There is a song on this album called "The Undoing" and with the departure of bassist Carlos D and this shitty album the once great and powerful Interpol seem to be in the midst of their undoing. Their self-titled fourth album is unbearable and unoriginal. It takes no direction, has no thought and it seems phoned-in. Turn On The Bright Lights is one of the 100 greatest albums ever! This is one of the worst albums from a major band in some time. I love Interpol and even I think this one blew hard. Try a little harder next time guys!

Rating = 3.9

Albums that Move You!

These are ten albums that make me feel something, whether it's happiness, anger, solitude, or calm. I hope that you can relate to them.

- Zuma by Neil Young and Crazy Horse (1975)

- Agaetis Byrjun by Sigur Ros (2000)

- Earth Is Not A Dead Cold Place by Explosions in the Sky (2003)

- Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse (1997)

- Teen Dream by Beach House (2010)

- Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem (2007)

- Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division (1979)

- Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin (1969)

- Strawberry Jam by Animal Collective (2007)

- Hail to the Thief by Radiohead (2003)

Review Session: The Blitz

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Whether its an internal or an external issue, Win Butler is bound to explore it in some form of Arcade Fire's music. It could be musically, lyrically of artistically, but at the end of the day it's about problems with no rhyme or reason for their solutions. This is what made Funeral the greatest album all-time. It's what made The Suburbs pretty good. What I mean is that Arcade Fire seem to have stopped being philosophical and turned habitual complainers. Musically The Suburbs far surpasses Neon Bible, but it lacks emotion and it lacks consistency. An example of this is in the track "Deep Blue" were they are heard knocking on technology and those that use it, but they just web casted their show from Madison Square Garden. Matter-of-fact if it wasn't for technology they wouldn't be where they are. I guess I expect perfection out of them every time, at least I think they should strive for it. The album is actually really enjoyable, the most LP oriented album they have made, sprawling over 16 tracks. I like it a lot, but I just have a few issues with it to really fall head over heels for it.

Rating = 8.4

Menomena - Mines

On their 3rd album Menomena really began to craft their original indie-pop sound that seems to attract listeners from all different genres. It builds in the right spots and hits in others. It is a very jumpy album that never lingers in any particular spot. It needs to offer a little more range, like it's predecessor Friend and Foe, but it takes from the listener what it gives back.

Rating = 8.2

Wavves - King of the Beach

Is this Wavves or is it Panda Bear? To me this is the surprise record of the year. You know in LCD Soundsystem's track "Losing My Edge" where James Murphy proclaims, "I heard your band traded it's guitars for turntables. I hear your band traded it's turntables for guitars," that's this album. King of the Beach starts out as a refined, more well-to-do follow up to their debut. But halfway through it turns into an album that Animal Collective would be proud of. I really enjoyed this album and I applaud Nathan Williams for not ruining his career at the Primavera.

Rating = 8.6

The Kids Are All Right

8 and 1/2 months through the year and the first truly great film of 2010 has emerged. Filled with motifs, symbolism, and ingenuity The Kids Are All Right is a breakthrough for a lot of reasons. You can feel funny, happy, sad, awkward, angry, confused and a whole range of other emotions through the first half of the movie. Every person plays there part to perfection, and the writing and direction is outstanding!

Rating = 8.7

Inception

Is this Christopher Nolan's masterpiece, David? Simply, no. The movie is incredible, but there is no surprise to it. The only mystery is the ending, which is meant to be open-ended and therefore you decide yourself. It is definitely a mind-tingler not blower. However, it is fun, high-paced, and incredibly well directed. As are all of Nolan's films. Even Doodlebug! His masterpiece remains in his head, and I promise you it won't be the next Batman. Inception is a beautiful movie lacking emotion, but would probably have been better if Leo DiCaprio decided not to play the same exact character in back to back movies.

Rating = 8.4

My 10 Favorite Scenes from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

10. From Season 4 "The Gang Cracks the Liberty Bell"

9. From Season 3 "The Gang Dances Their Asses Off"

8. From Season 5 "The Gang Wrestles For The Troops"

7. From Season 1 "Charlie Wants An Abortion"

6. From Season 2 "The Gang Runs for Office"

5. From Season 3 "The Gang Sells Out"

4. From Season 5 "Paddy's Pub: Home of the Kitten Mittons"

3. From Season 2 "Hundred Dollar Baby"

2. From Season 5 "Who pooped the Bed?"

1. From Season 5 "The Great Recession"

World Cup Predictions

The greatest sporting event is less than a month away and I feel like I need to make some predictions. So, these are my 2010 World Cup predictions!

The top two teams move onto Bracket Play:

Group A

1. France

2. Mexico

3. Uruguay

4. South Africa

Group B

1. Argentina

2. South Korea

3. Greece

4. Nigeria

Group C

1. England

2. USA

3. Slovenia

4. Algeria

Group D

1. Germany

2. Serbia

3. Ghana

4. Australia

Group E

1. Netherlands

2. Cameroon

3. Denmark

4. Japan

Group F

1. Italy

2. Paraguay

3. Slovakia

4. New Zealand

Group G

1. Brazil

2. Ivory Coast

3. Portugal

4. North Korea

Group H

1. Spain

2. Chile

3. Switzerland

4. Honduras

2nd Round

1A France v. 2B South Korea

1C England v. 2D Serbia

1D Germany v. 2C USA

1B Argentina v. 2A Mexico

1E Netherlands v. 2F Paraguay

1G Brazil v. 2H Chile

1F Italy v. 2E Cameroon

1H Spain v. 2G Ivory Coast

Quarterfinals

France v. England

Netherlands v. Brazil

Germany v. Argentina

Cameroon v. Spain

Semifinals

England v. Brazil

Argentina v. Spain

Final

Brazil v. Spain

2010 WORLD CUP Champion

SPAIN

Review Session

There has been a shit-load of albums by big name bands come out lately or are coming out soon. So instead of writing a million reviews here are my ratings and little bit o' info about them.

Infinite Arms by Band of Horses

- Ben Bridwell really took Band of Horses in a different direction, but it kind of pays of. There is less indie rock and more pop/rock to the sound of Infinite Arms. It is a quality album, but still not the album everyone is looking for from these guys. But then again, Band of Horses may be perfectly content with that.

Rating = 6.8

This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem

- It is rumored that James Murphy is going to move onto something new and this may be his last album under LCD Soundsystem. If this is true what a way to go out. This album is classic LCD with a little more definition, but you can still pop into the CD player at a party!

Rating = 9.0

High Violet by The National

- After releasing two groundbreaking albums in a row (Alligator and Boxer) The National seem to have done it again! High Violet is subtly amazing and quietly progressive. It is not so much a progression of The National's sound, more or less a perfection of it. It is as if the turned their studio into BASF and made they things that we buy better.

Rating = 9.1

Heaven is Whenever by The Hold Steady

- I was actually expecting a letdown after all the greatness they have put out over the last 10 years, but Heaven is Whenever is dramatic, emotional, and damn good. They mix in their traditional lines that make it from album to album, and they have Tad Kruger's sick guitar solos. However, The Hold Steady more than hold steady, they make an unexpected movement from bar rock to indie bar rock. I know that doesn't sound like much when reading it, but you can tell when you listen.

Rating = 8.1

Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene

- The army of musicians that is Broken Social Scene manages to create arguably the most eclectic, diverse album I have ever heard. I mean there are elements of bluegrass, pop, indie rock, electronica, sitar, and some shit I've never heard of before. And it all adds up into one sensational album. Forgiveness Rock Record is in my opinion the best album that BSS has ever delivered, and the Lord knows I like to label things as the best!

Rating = 8.4

Kyle's Korner: Getting Married!

In less than a week the day that I have been waiting for will finally arrive with a full head of steam and a bunch of crazy family members. I have no idea how its going to go but I know one thing is for sure: I'm getting married! I've been told by so many people that I shouldn't get married when I am only 23 and I don't have a job yet (nobody that I really care about has said this), but I feel like I should have married Laura years ago! We are a married couple, but without saying the vows in a church and exchanging rings. So, then why are we getting married other than to have children without society looking down upon us, or all of the gifts that come with a wedding? Its simple, the chance to express our love and say those vows in front of the people that have shaped our lives and guided our relationship. Laura and I have long known that we were meant for each other and that our lives were to be lived as one, but I get the feeling sometimes that other people don't. So, this is a time for Laura and I to promulgate our commitment to each other publicly! I personally could go my life without have a fancy ceremony or inviting the 550 people we did invite (I know Laura would disagree), but it is important that everyone we feel is important know how we feel about each other.
With that said I can truly express my excitement in the fact that I get to have a giant party in Laura's and my honor and hang out with my friends and drink beer at the beach! Can't really get much better than that! It is going to be a blast as Laura and I have been planning this for almost 2 years! Thats a long-ass-mother-fucking time to be planning a wedding! I mean we started planning before we were engaged! Crazy I know, but it works for us. We don't always have to the normal thing, but we do the fun and exciting thing instead. This wedding should be a prime example of that. I cannot wait to have the doors fly open, Laura come strolling down the aisle in her beautiful wedding gown, say " I do", and than party the night away! Oh yeah, and then live happily ever after! I love you Laura, more than the sun and the stars!

Review Session: Caribou's Swim

Swim by Caribou

Caribou's last release was in 2007 and it won a little award called the Polaris Prize which goes to the best album in North America. So, little to say Caribou is quite reputable. Actually Caribou is a one-man band, Daniel Snaith, that garners fans like Wayne Coyne, Thom Yorke, and Noah Lennox. In the three year gap between LPs he did something that not many people, including himself thought he could do... Swim! Snaith learned to swim over the past few years and this is the reason the album is named Swim.

Swim could also had been named for its liquid overtones that create the sense of swimming through this multi-colored stream of conscience. The album begins with the gloomy dance track "Odessa" before it winds it way past the echoing "Sun" and the pulsating, Eastern-influenced "Kaili". Snaith then uses a haunting, multi-layered experimental track in the four slot, "Found Out". The second portion of this 9 track album starts with the gliding, flowing "Bowls". The album then dips into its best two tracks, "Leave House" and "Hannibal". Both tracks have intros that sound like they are made off GarageBand, but grow into ambitious and spacious songs. "Lalibela" is a dreamy transition from those two songs to the elegant, hyperpop, trance track "Jamelia" to close out the sensational album.

I mean sensational in a literal fashion here because Swim is like an orgasm for the ears. Its sounds and lyrics are stimulating and profound. Its deepth is unmatched by Snaith's earlier work and makes Swim Caribou's most dense, well-produced album yet. Dive into it and enjoy its warm emotion.

Rating = 8.8

New Yeasayer Video: O.N.E.

Holy Shitzengiggles!!!

Now this is what I call an crazy music video!

http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/musicvideo/4120-yeasayer-one-secretly-canadian

Review Session: Hot Chip's One Life Stand

One Life Stand by Hot Chip

One Life Stand is this British electro-pop indie band's fourth and most fulfilling album in the decade they've been together. What is so great about Hot Chip is that this album, in my opinion, is better than their 2008 album Made in the Dark, which is better than their 2006 album The Warning, which is better than their debut album in 2004 Come on Strong. Essentially I am saying that they get better, more refined, and more profound as they get older. These guys were formed at the Elliott School For the Arts in London, where The xx, Burial, and Four Tet got their start as well. With that said, these guys have really built themselves after they left the school.

One Life Stand is a very mature album in that they really tone down their craziness and their lyrics really offer more than tales of youth. The album starts off with extremely layered and mesmerizing "Thieves in the Night", which has more sounds in it than The Flaming Lips jamming on acid. The album continues on to the incredible, single-esque "Hand Me Down Your Love", which I enjoyed for its multifaceted piano/keyboard work that really balances the song with its beat-driven exterior. The next two tracks, "I Feel Better" and the title-track "One Life Stand" really bring the beat, and to me sound a little more dance, which is what they are known for. Then One Life Stand moves to the centerpieces to the album which really make the difference from an album of singles to really making it complete. These tracks are "Brothers" and the six and half minute slow-jazz/rock "Slush". Slush is definitely one, if not the most, of the best lyrically written songs Hot Chip has in their arsenal. The beat starts to slowly build with "Alley Cats" which is quite deep lyrically, yet dreamy-pop musically. The album finishes with a few tracks that bring the beat up before it slows down a bit for the fitting ending to a One Life Stand.

Hot Chip can sound a little too much like Of Montreal for their own good sometimes. I think they are much better when they drive beats into your mind and have electric sounds and weird shit in rhythm with the rest of the song. One Life Stand does the Of Montreal thing at some points. However, they are one of the better lyrical pop bands I know of. I really enjoy what they got to say like, "I only wanna be your one life stand/ Tell me do you stand by your whole man?" Hot Chip's One Life Stand is a great album that really makes me appreciate the fact that music is so diverse and it can be good in almost any sound.

Rating = 8.5

Featured Artist: Local Natives

Local Natives

Originally formed as Cavil at Rest, Local Natives formed in Los Angeles. For Local Natives everything is a collaboration, from song writing duties to the band’s self produced artwork. The three part harmonies come courtesy of keyboardist Kelcey Ayer, guitarists Ryan Hahn and Taylor Rice. Then there’s Matt Frazier on drums and Andy Hamm on bass, who look after the band’s equally impressive graphics and artwork.

Local Natives make soaring, sky-scraping harmonies, dreamy orchestral melodies, and throbbing tribal beats that bash their way into your soul. Theirs are songs you can dance to almost as well as you can swoon to them. Drawing a line from the vocal stylings of Crosby Stills Nash & Young and the Zombies through the more esoteric edges of post-punk and Afro-beat, this California five piece have communally crafted a brand of indie rock all their own.

Their debut album, Gorilla Manor hit the UK in 2009, but was released in the States in February 2010. Featuring twelve sumptuous slices of dappled California sunlight and beguiling percussive rhythms, the album kicks off with the moody, driving, ‘Wide Eyes’. Says Ryan, “It’s about people’s obsession with the miraculous and disastrous…with witnessing extraordinary events”. The effervescent, mandolin boasting ‘Airplanes’ follows, which Kelcey explains is about “longing to have met my grandfather, a great man and pilot, who died before I was born.” Also included is the glorious ‘Sun Hands’, which was released as a limited edition single on Chess Club back in July. According to Taylor, the lyrics describe “that all too familiar feeling of wanting what you can’t have – especially when you once had it.” There’s a cover version in the mix too, a barely recognizable version of Talking Heads’ ‘Warning Sign’. “We’ve basically flipped the song on its head,” says Matt, explaining how they switched David Byrne’s original yelped vocals into a beautiful three-part harmony. Check it out! I give it a 8.4 which I believe is the same thing Pitchfork gave it.

Songs to Check Out:

-Wide Eyes

-Sun Hands

-World News

-Stranger Things

New Broken Social Scene Song!

It's been 5 years to hear something new from this army of musicians, but if this new track is any indication this album is gonna be sick nasty!

New Epic Broken Social Scene Song!

The xx on Pitchfork.tv

Here are a couple of awesome videos from The xx on Pitchfork.tv's Surveillance!

http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/episode/2117-the-xx/2

Review Session: Beach House's Teen Dream

Teen Dream by Beach House

Beach House's sound will always be considered "Dream Pop" because of the floating, imagery-induced feel to it. It can be mellow, yet speak volumes at the same time. And it never fails to satisfy those looking for good "Dream Pop". With their first two albums Beach House established this distinct ghostliness that envelopes both the music and the lyrics they create. However, with Teen Dream they perfect it. Teen Dream is much more open to influence then their first two albums, but they simply do not sway from the patent Beach House "Dream Pop".

Teen Dream starts off with a trio of sensational tracks - "Zebra", "Silver Soul", and the transcending "Norway". "Norway" will be a clear-cut contender for song of the year and it is only January! It's opening "a-ha-ha's" and its intricate triplets are only the basis of this surreal track that is somber in feeling at its best moment. I could take this song note by note, lyric by lyric and describe my every feeling, but that would take forever. If you listen to one song in the next month or so, let it be "Norway". The album steadily gets better, but more gloomy as it continues. After a lonely, but beautiful "Walk In The Park" follows "Used To Be" (the same single that they released in 2008), "Lover of Mine", and "Better Times". Then the album gets real in its final three tracks. "10 Mile Stereo" subtly reminds me of "Blue Ridge Mountains" by Fleet Foxes, but with a deliberate build that is affirmed in the gorgeous climax late in the song. It can only be described as one word, that I have yet to use in any Review Session so far, perfect. The next track "Real Love" is a woebegone track that shows of the vocals of Beach House's lead singer, Victoria Legrand. And to end the album a lovely parting song entitled "Take Care". A song that rightfully ends an album filled with pain, sorrow, heartbreak, and somewhat of a rebirth.

Teen Dream will be similar to Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavillon as it is a remarkable album released so early in the year. It will certainly be remembered by many of the critics throughout the year, and should receive much recognition in the coming weeks with its release. Beach House have certainly put together a complete album from head to toe, and they should be satisfied in what they have accomplished with Teen Dream. It is a momentous album that carries its weight on its shoulders only to unload all its weight on the listener when the journey comes to an end. The only thing left to do with this album is to close your eyes and create visions to your own Teen Dream.

Rating = 9.7

Featured Artist: Owen Pallet

Owen Pallet

Well, some people may have heard of Mr. Pallet here by his prior stage name of Final Fantasy and if you haven't then shame on you cause this is an amazing musician with a brand of music that is quite archetypal. Yes, Final Fantasy was a tribute to the video games of the same name as he was a major fan, but don't let that major nerdness turn you off his music. There is no great story for the change to his given name, but it suits the fact that his newest release and first under Owen Pallet is clearly his best. That is saying something because his second album won the Polaris Music Prize in 2006, which if you don't know is a major honor beating out the likes of The New Pornographers, Wolf Parade, Metric and Broken Social Scene. Before I tell you about the basis for this album that won just know I am not making this shit up. Its called He Poos Clouds and 4/5 of the album's songs are based on schools of magic from Dungeons & Dragons!

Not only may you know Owen Pallet from Final Fantasy but you may know him as the writer and performer of the strings on a couple of albums by this little band called Arcade Fire or something like that. Also he contributed strings to Beirut, Grizzly Bear, Fucked Up, Great Lake Swimmers, The Mountain Goats, and The Last Shadow Puppets. As some people may know Arcade Fire is supposedly recording an album as we speak and Owen Pallet recently twittered, "10 days on the best album I've ever had the pleasure of working on." Which is such sweetness to my ears, but the reason I wrote this post about Owen is Heartland, his latest album. Heartland is as beautiful as it is sad. An album about "nothingness" that will move you to the brink of an emotional breakdown. Totally heartfelt, and totally phenomenal. Pitchfork.com gave it an 8.6 and a Best New Music label. Well I certainly agree although I would give it a little higher score at an 8.8 because it really hit the spot for me. Check out everything Owen Pallet does, cause it is all so very damn good!

Check These Songs Out:

- This Lamb Sells Condos

- Midnight Directives

- The Arctic Circle

- Oh Heartland, Up Yours!

- Tryst With Mephistopheles

Best Films of 2009 and Awards

Best Films

10. An Education

9. Up

8. District 9

7. Fish Tank

6. Up In The Air

5. Public Enemies

4. The Road

3. The Hurt Locker

2. Avatar

1. Inglorious Bastards

Awards

Best Director - Quentin Tarantino for Inglorious Bastards

Best Screenplay - Quentin Tarantino for Inglorious Bastards

Best Actor - Viggo Mortensen for The Road

Best Actress - Carey Mulligan for An Education

Best Supporting Actor - Cristoph Waltz for Inglorious Bastards

Best Supporting Actress - Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Review Session: Yeasayer's Odd Blood

Odd Blood by Yeasayer

Another heavily anticipated album coming out in 2010, and this should be the theme of the year since just about everybody has something coming out. But Yeasayer's new LP labeled Odd Blood had a special something in it because of how amazing I think they can be and how popular their debut album, All Hours Cymbals, was. Then to make the anticipation even greater they dropped the sensationally optimistic single "Amblin' Alp", which they had been playing live for years. It was totally upbeat, fun, and certainly up there with "2080" for their best track. So, if you couldn't this album had a lot to live up to in my opinion. Let's see if it did.

Odd Blood starts off with "The Children" a crawling, deep-toned track with a centered rhythm that grows on you after a few listens. It exits out with some horns and some simple synths that really add to the song. Not long after the album quickly jumps into "Amblin' Alp" which really blazes a trail for what is supposed to follow. The problem is that the album doesn't really hit this level of greatness again. That's the problem with having your best song in the second slot. Unless you have a slum of amazing tracks the rest of the album it can leave the listener disappointed. The album plateaus after "Amblin' Alp" into a a trio of ambitious tracks that are really good, but not at the quality of Yeasayer's ability. "Madder Red", "I Remember", and "ONE" are tremendous in their own right, but don't hit me as special. The mid-tempo, guitar-fueled track is lyrically dynamic, but holds back from the climax it starts to build. "I Remember" sounds like a angelic, disco song in slow motion. It is quite lovely and enlightening to listen too. "ONE" is a momentous track filled with a massive number of sounds that move throughout. It is a little Caribbean-based, but definitely enjoyable.

The second half only has two tracks I feel are worthy of talking about. The others are not bad, just not what I hoped for. Odd Blood is certainly front-loaded and not at all well-structured. It's kind of like MGMT's Oracular Spectacular in the fact that you only need the A-side of the record. However, if you did that on Odd Blood, you would miss out on the toe-tapping, triumphant "Rome" and the wild, blazing "Mondegreen". Both of which stir emotions whilst keep the body grooving. Despite some of my negative comments about Odd Blood I do think it is a fine album, but I really hope that Yeasayer take a new direction on the next album, because I was disappointed in Odd Blood. Maybe I expect more out of them, but I know these guys are musicians and not guys making music. So, therefore their music should be better. Regardless, the kept the lyrics simple, but intelligent which was pleasing and the hit big on some of their risks. So, overall I have to say the album still gives me goosebumps and I still listen to it over and over.

Rating = 7.9

Review Session: Vampire Weekend's Contra

Contra by Vampire Weekend

In 2008 Vampire Weekend burst onto the scene with their Caribbean-toned indie pop sound and their upper-crust, hip fashion sense. They gained tons and tons of fans, their album was a huge success, and they played their fair share of big festivals and TV shows. That sounds like a huge success to me for an indie band. However, the question has never been are the good? Do they deserve their success? It has been whether or not they could evolve their unique sound into finer, more sophisticated albums. Well, their sophomore album, Contra, is almost out, and the judgements will come fast and furious.

The album starts with "Horchata", which is the closest thing to a song of their first album. However, it seems a little more layered than the first album, but lyrically it fits in perfectly. Next comes the ethereal "White Sky". It is an excellent song with some classic Ezra Koenig yelping. After a so-so "Holiday" comes the fanatical "California English" that is quite busy, and almost has an Animal Collective meets T-Pain feel. It doesn't really set a tone for the rest of the album, but it does fit with the album. Later in the album the songs "Run" and "Taxi Cab" use synths, pedals, and other new forms of sounds to mix in with Vampire Weekend's staple of strings and guitar picking. "Run" and "Taxi Cab" are solid songs that move the album along efficiently.

"Cousins" is up next. It was the first single and video off the album and it is a rapid blitzkrieg of guitars and drums. It is the loudest song on a quite soft album, but it is definitely fun to listen to. The next song on the album, "Giving Up The Gun", is really the most surprising song, and in my humble opinion, the best track on Contra. It's fast-paced, without the feeling of island music, and in it they even bust out a xylophone. The album starts to finish with the floating "Diplomat's Son" which samples M.I.A.'s Hussel. It's the longest song on this album or Vampire Weekend, but it is worth it in my opinion. It's got great layers and its faithful to the Vampire Weekend sound without being too much of the first album. The finale on Contra is "I Think Ur a Contra" which in all reality is a beautiful song, but struggles to really grab a hold on to the end of the album with its lyrics. They switch from talking about a fleeting love to really committing to love. Which is really a new concept to Vampire Weekend. It's different from the rest of their stuff, but it is a successful song.

Vampire Weekend's Contra excited me, but not by the music or lyrics. It was because my biggest fear about Vampire Weekend is that they would just extend themselves from their debut album, but they really advanced themselves in this album. It didn't always work, but they tried, and that works for me. Their third album will be important to see if they can recreate themselves, but still create a very good album. Contra is a good album, but it is missing something that I can't quite put my finger on. I like it a lot but I need more.

Rating = 7.9