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
