Category: Music

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Best of 2011: Music

It’s my 10 favorite albums of 2011!

10

Cure for the Common

Cure for the Common

Bozeman’s own Cure for the Common released their debut album this year, and it seriously rocks. This unique funk-jazz-rock-hip-hop blend packs some killer grooves and fresh flows.

9

Audio, Video, Disco

Justice

A departure from their previous work, Audio, Video, Disco finds Justice mixing their signature dance sounds with cheesy 70s rock music. An odd move for sure, but the results are pretty interesting.

8

One for Sorrow

Insomnium

Insomnuim beats out releases from Amon Amarth and Turisas to be only metal album on my list this year. One for Sorrow lives up to it’s name with a powerful sound of strong melancholy and an underlying beauty that shines through in the melodic guitars and clean vocals.

7

Turtleneck & Chain

The Lonely Island

Turtleneck? Check. With another on deck. Case I spill something on it. Like some light beer? Yes.

6

Join Us

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants took a break from children’s music (which was also quite good) to put out their 15th studio album. The Johns’ may be getting old, but their unmistakable style is still as sharp as ever.

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Best of 2010: Music

Hey! It’s my favorite music of the year!

Best New Artist

Das Racist

Brooklyn rap group Das Racist introduced themselves with not one, but two excellent free mixtapes in 2010 (grab them here). Their unique brand of hip-hop bounces from political to irreverent to absurd and back again without warning, creating an odd, yet compelling and completely enjoyable sound.

Runners up: Sleigh Bells, Die Antwoord

Best Albums

10

Trans-Continental Hustle

Gogol Bordello

Gogol’s weakest album (I blame Rick Rubin), but it still makes my top 10. Still some great tracks on here.

9

Sea of Cowards

Dead Weather

This album was a huge improvement over 09’s Horehound. Jack White is single handedly keeping rock music alive at this point.

8

Odd Blood

Yeasayer

Yeasayer stole the psychedelic pop crown from MGMT and ran with it. The multi-layered tracks on Odd Blood are fun and catchy without feeling hollow.

7

Everything Remains (As It Never Was)

Eluveitie

Celtic folk metalers Eluveitie couldn’t top their previous albums this year, but had a solid release with Everything Remains.

6

Sit Down, Man

Das Racist

Like their first mixtape, it’s a bit long and lacks focus, but there are some absolute gems in here.

5

Tron: Legacy

Daft Punk

I love Daft Punk, and I can get into a good score. Combine them and you have something really, really cool.

4

Treats

Sleigh Bells

Without a doubt the loudest and most catchy album of 2010. What it lacks in substance, it makes up for with raw energy.

3

Hard Dream

Copy

Copy’s third and best album takes his familiar electro snap beats in a softer direction. The result is a relaxing, atmospheric album with no need for vocals.

2

Plastic Beach

Gorillaz

Plastic Beach is simply the best Gorillaz album so far. It’s grand scope and multitude of styles somehow fit into a cohesive album where almost every track is a standout.

1

LP4

Ratatat

It’s true that LP4 doesn’t cover as much new ground as LP3 did in 08. But the way LP4 refines and perfects LP3’s sound is just brilliant.

So, there you have it. My top 10 albums of 2010.

Agree? Disagree? What were your favorites this year?

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Music

Frontier Psychiatrist

This music video is full of awesome.

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Music

iPod shuffle, with buttons!

What do you do when all your devices are multi-touch?

Reinvent buttons as a new feature!

Source: Apple

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Music

Coachella 2010, Sunday: Rusko, De La Soul, Yann Tiersen, Gorillaz

The final day of Coachella. The lineup wasn’t as packed as Saturday, but Gorillaz proved to be a fitting end to an epic festival.

But first, it was over to the Saraha for some Rusko dubstep.

Rusko got things going quickly and seemed really excited to be playing.  His mix moved fast, almost too fast, like he was trying to squeeze a much longer set into his 45 minutes.  Even so, each beat drop got the crowd going and it was a party from start to end.

Glitch Mob were a no-show, so we chilled near main stage while De La Soul gets their groove on.  We caught the end of Club 75 which was disappointing to say the least, but they at least played one Justice track so it wasn’t a complete loss.

Next, it was over to the Mojave to see Gary Numan.  Unfortunately, Gary’s flight was delayed by volcanic ash, so the stage was mostly empty. Yann Tiersen had moved into Gary’s slot so we decided to stay for a front row spot.

So glad we did.  Tiersen is know for his work on the Amelie soundtrack, but his band was a great mix of  ambient keys, guitar, violin, and melodica that was amazing to see up close.

And, finally.  Gorillaz.

Nobody was quite sure what to expect from Gorillaz, a ‘virtual band’ that have used different performance methods in the past.  What was going to show up on stage?  A video show?  Holograms? Puppets?

Nope.  Instead, frontman Damon Albarn showed up with Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of The Clash, Bobby Womack, De La Soul, Little Dragon, and the Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music to play almost all of Plastic Beach in front of the biggest, brightest HD video screen I’ve ever seen.  The screen showcased Gorillaz visuals, both new and old, to compliment each track.

After killing it for over 90 minutes and 18 songs, the set came to a rather awkward end with Womack’s “Cloud of Unknowing” and Damon leaving the stage without a ‘thank you’ or ‘good night’.  No encore. Oh well.

So ended Coachella 2010.