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]

it's never quite as it seems

Passion Pit - Dreams (The Cranberries Cover)
A lovely cover by Passion Pit in my opinion. Bringing their trademark synths into play, a spacey and ethereal rendition of the delicate original. Check out the original here.

Trentemøller - Sycamore Feeling
As per the video description, "Sycamore Feeling is a beautifully melancholic downtempo song with haunting vocals courtesy of singer Marie Fisker. Fiskers sensual, intoxicating performance, framed by a lush instrumentation with lots of ambience, make this another great Trentemøller-track." (sic)

Frightened Rabbit - Not Miserable
Quaint ole Scottish indie rock.

Fanfarlo - Comets
Like a streak of comet across the midnight sky, it blazes a trail with it's fantastic orchestral arrangements and slowly disappears into oblivion, but not before impressing itself upon onlookers.

all i am is a body adrift in water, salt and sky

Check out the goodies from indie favourites Phoenix and MGMT.

Phoenix Live in Sydney free here and stream the entire new album, "Congratulations" from MGMT here.


Peasant - Well Alright
Like the bright morning light that's awash, the song sweeps over you, incredibly soothing and comfy to the ears. You suddenly find your foot moving slowly, before breaking into a tentative jiggle and moments later, you embrace the song in it's entirety as you let loose and dance your heart away. But just as you settle into the beat, the song ends. You wonder, "Is it over?" With a little disappointment you stop, but you get an idea. Hit play and here we go.

Alcoholic Faith Mission - My Eyes To See
The name of the band is more of an ironic corruption of “apostolic faith mission,” than a nod to the over-indulgence it implies. It’s from a neon sign in Brooklyn from which Thorben Seierø Jensen and Sune Sølund set off on their search for a musical road-less-traveled.

I like the piano backed rhythm and chorus, with pretty strong vocals melded with creaky electronics. Yet there's the rock beat as the solid drum beat rings off into space. There's a certain sense of nakedness and vulnerability amidst all the mishmash of sounds, a rawness possibly evoked by the drawn out electric guitar.

Frightened Rabbit - Swim Until You Can't See Land
I adore Frightened Rabbit, they are indie rock at it's best. Be it curiously introspective lyrics, fun and lively riffs or that Scottish accent, I just love to indulge myself in them.

Local Natives - World News
Seemingly about everyday life, they go on about changing lanes as you are too impatient to wait for it to move, and just as you complete the merging, the lane you were in starts moving. How true. About bombs going off in the sunni market and your mother ringing you at 5 or 6 in the morning as your brother can't be found, everything belies the impressive percussion and catchy-ness of the "doo-doo-doo-doo-doo".

But you've gotta love the last line, the hope it brings, the smile on your face as he sings "the bad feeling so bad makes the good so good". Absolutely brilliant round off to the song.

THIS MONTH: Music of 2010

It's been a long road, 2009 was a bumper year for music, with so many fantastic albums being churned out by bands, but I won't be going into that. There will be more of that in the month to come, as I might be reviewing albums and songs of this year. That said, I'll be discussing releases for next year, whether some bands are going to live up to their billing, what we could be looking forward to etc.

Here's a couple I'm looking forward to.



Vampire Weekend - Contra (12 Jan)

First up, there's New York indie rockers Vampire Weekend with sophomore effort "Contra". Their much fancied self-titled debut album received rave reviews, and stand out tracks included Oxford Comma and A-Punk. This is what some people said,

Rolling Stone: On their debut, Vampire Weekend mostly earn points the old-fashioned way: by writing likable songs you'll be glad to revisit next month.

The Guardian: Behind the penny loafers and songs about commas, there's a bold band that can balance dextrous originality with an innate pop sensibility.

Boston Globe: At its best, Vampire Weekend takes the exceedingly familiar template of indie rock and invigorates it with a chiming guitar sound that suggests the band has been spending its downtime browsing afropop.org.

Personally, I quite liked the fresh and preppy feel, and it was injected with so much fun. And with Horchata, also available as a free download at their official site, their sophomore effort is really one to look out for.




Beach House - Teen Dream (25 Jan)

Victoria Legrand (fresh off her collaboration with Grizzly Bear on Slow Life, off the soundtrack of Twilight: New Moon) and Alex Scally present to us "Teen Dream". Also included is the single Used To Be released in Oct 2008 and the leaked track Norway that has gotten many raving about their third outing. And I take back what I said previously "I don't actually always pick out their songs to particularly listen to". They're nearly on constant rotation right now. Peachy!

Beach House Norway



OK go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky (12 Jan)
OK go of Here It Goes Again fame (remember the treadmill video?), is back with a new album titled "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky", taken from the book The Influence of the Blue Ray of the Sunlight and of the Blue Color of the Sky, about how illness can be cured by blue light.

OK go - Skyscrapers


Spoon - Transference (19 Jan)
How exciting is this, Spoon's new album after their 2007 awesome release "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga". I'm pretty ooshed just thinking about their new album.

Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring (26 Jan)
Los Campesinos! - There Are Listed Buildings

Lifehouse - Smoke and Mirrors (2 Feb)
Lifehouse - Halfway Gone

Hot Chip - One Life Stand (8 Feb)
With dancefloor hits Ready For The Floor and One Pure Thought, the slow groove Over and Over, I'm all set for "One Life Stand".
Hot Chip - Alley Cats (Live)

Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago (End Feb)

Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks (Early Mar)

A few others, such as "Congratulations" by MGMT, un-named albums by Secondhand Serenade, Panic! At The Disco and a couple more, are to be released in first quarter of 2010.


Note: I apologise for the sloppy post, been a bit busy with stuff.

The Saturday Mix #6 - HAVE YOU WATCHED TRANSFORMERS YET?

Ohbijou - Black Ice

Ohbijou - Wildfires

Chanced upon them a few days ago. I must say they're fanatastic. You'd be surprised as to the number of instruments contributes to the layering in their songs. There's the ukulele, electric piano, harpischord, banjo, glockenspiel, synth, mandolin just to name a few(not really a few though). I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me they thought of using the harp or bagpipe. Some scottish influence there. Been on repeat these few days. Sweet stuff.

Speaking of scottish, I bring you The Twilight Sad.
The Twilight Sad - Cold Days From The Birdhouse

And here again, are their[The Twilight Sad] friends and fellow label mates, Frightened Rabbit.
Frightened Rabbit - Backwards Walk

Scott Hutchinson - Backwards Walk
Frightened Rabbit lead vocalist, Scott Hutchinson doing a solo. I really love this song. Although his guitar is a tad louder then his singing, the melody is lovely all the same.

Handsome Furs - Radio Kalinigrad
Husband and wife duo = Handsome Furs. Dan Boeckner(the husband obviously) is also part of Wolf Parade. His wife, Alexei Perry looks like she's on dope while on the synthesizer. The quality of the video isn't that good, so those who want the song with better quality can go to their Myspace.

Cobra Starship - Good Girls Go Bad (feat. Leighton Meister)
This song's in cos there's Leighton Meister, and I'm an unabashed fan of Gossip Girl. She's apparently signed to Universal Republic. And from it seems, she doesn't have that bad a voice. Sounds suited for the dancey tracks they're priming her upcoming album to be.

First, we had Glasvegas. next up, we have Frightened Rabbit. Well, what do they have in common? They're both Scottish bands!

Frightened Rabbit - Keep Yourself Warm
the lyrics are totally rad. lol. (it takes more than fucking someone/you don't know to keep warm/did you really think that a fuck at half speed/you'll find your love in a hole) these guys are a-rocking! sweet stuff. check out the rest of their awesome album as well.

The Dears - Lights Off

Kleerup (feat. Lykke Li) - Until We Bleed

Jimmy Eat World - 23
jimmy eat world. it's like how i had to feature 30stm. i love the 1 minute plus intro. it's uber. however, the video is totally homemade, but featuring the full length song. the vid is pretty cheesy, so you could either choose to listen to the song playing in the background or watch the video. that said, i hope you listen to the song in the background first, before watching the video and listening to the song.