100 Favourite Tracks of 2010: Part II

Indeed, when I would ask a tenant if they called 311, I would hear either a Daniel response — “I called 311 until I was blue in the face” — or a response that mirrors the behavior of Justin’s family — “I don’t call 311 anymore. Because I gave up.” In a certain way, both responses are saying the same thing. They are expressions of the demoralization and resignation that people carry with them. In the social universe I inhabit, there’s such a strong belief that you can change things, you can make things happen. But in the Bronx, behind too many of the doors I knocked on, people’s faces are bereft of that sense.

- Elizabeth Dwoskin in NYT


Kisses - Bermuda
Bright and uplifting toetapper, with soaring synths and warm vocals. There's a little balearic beat as well, similar to Delorean. Brilliant stuff from Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Warpaint - Undertow (mp3)
Lovely post-punk beat, it helps that they are all girls, shrouded by hazy vocals. I love the lead in guitar particularly. The song alternates between a slow dreamy atmosphere with hollow vocals and splendid psych rock replete with guitar riffs. Check out the music video here which is directed by Shannyn Sossamon, who was previously with the band. Nice reunion eh.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Class Actress - Careful What You Say (mp3)
Lush 80s disco and 8-bit beats definitely a plus point in this song. With sultry vocals as well, that certainly scores with me too.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Local Natives - Airplanes
I've got a weak spot for folk rock, which explains Local Natives and Airplanes from "Gorilla Manor" along with the likes of Great Lake Swimmers, Fanfarlo and The Low Anthem. Stringing meaningful lyrics along with a mellow rhythm that soars and dips, it's a heartwarming rendition of a love for a grandfather.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Band of Horses - Blue Beard
This is Band of Horses, every album surely has hits that resonate deep and this is one of them, from "Infinite Arms". Very affecting midwestern-ish, with a grand backing rhythm that anchors this song.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Foals - Spanish Sahara
This is one epic track. It starts of with a tender melody that reeks of desolation and emptiness, and Philippakis milks that even further with raw and emotional vocals. The song builds, slowly, drawing you further into the vast expanse of desolation it portrays, then plateauing. It's joined by a dotty urgent synth beat audible in the background, matched by an increasing urgency in the song as well and the boiling pot of emotion spills at around 4:15. Enjoy.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

School of Seven Bells - I L U
Peculiar video set to less ethereal (read: clearer) vocals that was the hallmark of their debut album, I L U draws out it's atmospheric rhythm, playing up on that, letting it expand and fill the room.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Monarchy - Love Get Out Of My Way
Uber groovey dance floor anthem along with others that has marked Monarchy's arrival on the electronic scene under their new name, previously known as Milke.

Listening Directions: Press play and get moving, if movement is restricted, start bopping your head. Repeat.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Frightened Rabbit - The Loneliness & The Scream
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Best Coast - When I'm With You
A hazy miasma of jangly guitar drives this sun-drenched surf pop from the loveable Ms Cosentino and sidekick Bobb Bruno.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

we are falling straight down so don't lose hope

Bear in Heaven - Lovesick Teenagers (mp3)
A synth cascade opens this seemingly simple and straightforward track. But the song is really much more than just 'lovesick teenagers'. It's more about hope. The persistent electronic ba-dump in the background seems lulling, while Jon Philpot's vocals seems to be treading with caution. Almost as if it would culminate in a climax as the pace hastens, bringing about a glorious eruption of what not, the song halts abruptly, leaving you hanging.

Caribou - Odessa
An intriguing song with seemingly Middle Eastern influences, Dan Snaith sings ponderously about a girl tired of crying and all her man's lies. There's something intangible about the song that ensnares you, compels you to put yourself into the shoes of this young girl, as she stands up for herself and decides to leave him.

Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM

Class Actress - Careful What You Say (mp3)
Not a direct link, get it via RCRDLBL. A class act indeed, doling out pop ditties with graceful ease, controlled vocals melded with sparkly synths is definitely a recipe for guilty pleasure. Someone mentioned somewhere she sounded uncannily like Karen O. Anyone agrees?

forever journey on golden avenues

Photo from YSL Collection Femme SS10


Fashion could be more relevant. It needs to be understood rather than just consumed.

- Stefano Pilati, Creative Director YSL


Luke Vibert - Electrophy
What got me was the speaking in the front, that 'intro-ed' the song. It sounded a lot like the narrator in BioShock. Very interesting creation here.

The Honeydrips - Fall From a Height
The narration in the song, again is mysterious and alluring all the same. Much less needs to be said of the ethereal soundscape, almost psychedelic and otherworldly. Fantastic. Just realised where the narration comes from - sample quotes from Annie Hall (starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton) and Rebel Without a Cause (starring James Dean). At only 2:35, I wish it were half a minute longer.

Sebastien Tellier - La Ritournelle
Loosely translated as 'the jingle', don't be surprised at the extended "intro", which has the sole purpose of setting the mood for the song. Four entire minutes dedicated to pure craft, with which he ensures you absorb everything, ready to embrace the latter half of the song. And he doesn't let down, with simple lyrics about love, it complements the keyboard wonderfully. However, the 48 seconds or so of one chorus seems to pass by so fleetingly, as the song dwindles to an embracing warmth.

Class Actress - Journal of Ardency
“sweetly spectral vocals over lush ’80s synths and beats.” – NYLON

I have to concur. First thing I was thinking, female solo version of The Polyamorous Affair? She's awesome!

love's like a pantheon, it carries on forever

Photo courtesy of Stephane Rotureau.

Chew Lips - Karen
Tigs voice has a very alluring quality that silently reels you in. However, listening to their songs, you'd realise they sound very similar to each other, and this recipe of building on her vocals with synths and the keyboard are repeated.

Beach House - 10 Mile Stereo
Oh yeah, I certainly could leave this on repeat for a 10 mile drive. It's secretly addictive as they don't waste time and open with the line "the heart is a stone and this is a stone that we throw" singing of casting the heart away. The whole dreamy soundscape produced by the synths has become their trademark, and it's what makes this song so lovely. A very peculiar love song that only Legrand and Scally would know the meaning of, while we indulge in said song.

Class Actress - Let Me Take You Out
If I had to describe this song as a woman, it would be a one who is quite pretty, but therein doesn't like the beauty. It's her eyes, the sparkle and the youth emanating from those eyes. That's what this song is like.

Blue Roses - Does Anyone Love Me now
Oh how she reaches those high notes perfectly. As she goes "ohohohohohoh", sighing delicately while trying to find answers about her burning question from the deep sea.

This is said of Blue Roses on their official site, "Instant praise is neither expected nor sought; Blue Roses is not the stuff of lists, tip offs or hollow press recommendations; this is not recollection, it is realisation. It is not music to be forced onto the public for social measurements, or on the merit of affiliation. Blue Roses is to be found, kept and cherished; it is to be absent as the dust begins to settle, and longed for as ambience resumes. Blue Roses is the serendipity that can only happen when you thought you’d stopped looking; as you realise how life sounds without it, you begin again."

How true. Give me a moment to ponder while I click play again and leave her to enchant me beyond measure.