I'm currently digging "Beacon," this cheery tune from Matt Duncan's 2010 EP release of the same name. As for his whole sound, think folksy, brassy, and sometimes hollow (like Jens Lekman). This song has got that sunny-sunday-morning, frisbee-in-the-park kind of feel. Give it a try!
In their first new release since 1999, Dispatch retain their musical wisdom and stick to their folk instinct. They're still singing about the same big issues, but nothing sounds tired. Dispatch EP is a fantastic disc. While I was disappointed with the lack of rap on the EP, they're still my favorite flavor of jam band.
"Second Chance" - Peter Bjorn and John "Hawaiian Air" - Friendly Fires "Climbing Walls" - Strange Talk "Sydney (I'll Come Running" - Brett Dennen "Run the World (Girls)" - Beyoncé "Stare into the Sun" - Graffiti6 "Mr. Blue Sky (ELO Cover)" - Mayer Hawthorne "Walking Away (Cosmonaut Grechko Version)" - Druma Kina "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" - Arctic Monkeys "Call It What You Want" - Foster the People "Bloody Poetry" - Grieves "Take Me Over" - Cut Copy "Two Against One" - Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi "Jericho" - Jamaica "Go!" - Santigold ft/ Karen O "Heatwave" - Chiddy Bang ft. Mac Miller "The Bike Song" - Mark Ronson and the Business Intl "Get Some" - Lykke Li "We Will All Be Changed" - Seryn "Ready to Go" - The Dean's List Links removed =(
Email musicsequitur@gmail.com for the playlist! Enjoy!
In the style of Chiddy Bang, The Dean's List blurs the line between hip-hop and straight up pop. Check it out below, and download the entire mixtape, The Drive-In, here.
The "other" French electro power duo are finally back (wow, Daft Punk much?) with their best hit yet. Energizing and BIG are probably the two best words for "Civilization." It makes me think of an ancient Aztec sacrifice scene because the sound and lyrics are so primal but it's juxtaposed by the clear, clean electro effects. Look out for it on the best of 2011 list!
Bonus points for the song getting on an Adidas commercial. Bonus points to Adidas for using Justice in their commercial.
Michael Fitzpatrick and his Tantrums churned out their neo-soul album Pickin' Up the Pieces in 2010. Since then, they've gained traction with late-night show appearances, their throwback Motown feel and this gem:
Jessie J has already topped the charts in the UK for her anthem "Price Tag," but I'm still waiting for it to happen in the US. Have had this one stuck in my head for at least the past week.
Woohoo! Down to the top ten albums! Keep in mind that this list does not include mixtapes or EPs, and the songs for each album WILL NOT appear on the Top 50 Songs list.
10. The Orchard by Ra Ra Riot
Ra Ra Riot collaborated with Death Cab for Cutie and Vampire Weekend for their latest LP and it's naturally chock full of catchy, polished jingles. Bright melodies and an even brighter cello makes the album pretty irresistible.
"Too Dramatic" - Ra Ra Riot
9. Transference by Spoon
Spoon's blend of garage indie rock made an impact once again and they never fail to write about awesome, if not wild, stuff. Spoon = solid, solid indie rock.
"The Mystery Zone" - Spoon
8. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
Gorillaz has always been able to evade categorization into a genre, and it's because they do everything so well. R&B, indie, rap, electropop are all inadequate descriptions. To top it off, Damon Albarn is the master of concept albums, having carried this story through 3 albums.
"Superfast Jellyfish" - Gorillaz ft. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul
7. Brothers by The Black Keys
The Black Keys really make the basics shine. Everything is a rudimentary rock chord progression, and the lyrics are in the style of traditional blues artists. They're like a modern day Bo Diddley, and Brothers is the album to make kids like the blues again.
"Howlin' for You" - The Black Keys
6. Broken Bells by Broken Bells
'Tis a beautiful thing when two completely different artists produce a happy collaboration. Danger Mouse is an old pro when it comes to harmonious partnerships, and perhaps that's why it is so surprising that James Mercer's soft indie rock is more prominent in their sound. We're happy for it, of course!
"The High Road" - Broken Bells http://www.divshare.com/download/13765015-c33
5. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire has always been dramatic, even when you just consider the twenty-some instruments they play. Each and every track of The Suburbs is a grand theatrical experiment. Each song vastly different from the next. Some are written from the teenage soul, some from the middle-age, and all written with trembling respect for the integrity of music itself.
"Month of May" - Arcade Fire
4. The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B
One of the best concept albums in the past ten years. Sure there are a couple plot holes here or there, but the fact that Ben Drew completely refashioned his style from rap into high grade soul is impressive alone.
"Free" - Plan B
3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Kanye is so creative in his execution and so passionate in his delivery (but not like the always angry Eminem). He's got this expansive range of emotion and style and takes it to the limit in the best way.
"All of the Lights" - Kanye West
2. Contra by Vampire Weekend
Early in 2010 Vampire Weekend's sophomore album impacted with force. Songs without (vocal) choruses, songs with autotune, and songs with every kind of influence imaginable. The album feels full to the brim.
"Cousins" - Vampire Weekend
"California English" - Vampire Weekend
1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
Monáe is the whole package - she's an entertainer. She's that person you hate because she excels at everything. Dancing, R&B, Rap, Soul, Pop, covers, drama, collaborations, the concept album. And it all comes together in her live show. The music videos are a nice consolation though. Actually, just get the album.
